A two-month Interpol operation targeting environmental crime across nine Latin American countries led to 233 arrests, identified 312 additional suspects and produced 313 seizures, the international police organization said Wednesday, October 7.
Operation Madre Tierra VIII ran from June 1 through July 31 in Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Authorities pursued suspected illegal mining and logging, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing and related financial offenses.
Animals, chemicals and forest loss
Interpol said officers recovered more than 1,000 live animals and identified more than 60,000 hectares of forest believed to have been illegally cleared. Seizures included as much as 4.6 metric tons of cyanide and mercury, substances commonly associated with illegal gold extraction, along with ammunition and other evidence.
The operation involved more than 330 cases. One seizure included 165 kilograms of dried shark fins that authorities valued at about $280,000. The results underscore how environmental crimes can connect wildlife trafficking, extractive industries, document fraud and money movement across borders.
Arrests and suspect identifications do not establish guilt. The cases will proceed under the laws of the participating countries, and allegations described by investigators remain subject to court review.
Amazon investigation widened
In Colombia, authorities expanded an investigation that previously focused on 11 foreign companies suspected of clearing more than 52,000 hectares in protected areas of the Amazon. Interpol said the latest work identified possible links to another 161 companies and 65 individuals across multiple continents.
Investigators are examining possible permit fraud, shell companies and foreign investment structures. Colombian raids resulted in 16 arrests and the seizure of digital evidence, according to Interpol. The organization also issued three Red Notices, three Blue Notices and one Purple Notice connected to the wider operation. An Interpol notice is a request for international police cooperation; it is not itself an arrest warrant or a determination of guilt.
Why the operation matters
Environmental crime can damage ecosystems while financing other criminal networks. Illegal mining can contaminate rivers with toxic chemicals, unlicensed clearing can accelerate habitat loss and carbon emissions, and wildlife trafficking can threaten already vulnerable species.
The cross-border scope is important because illegal products and proceeds can move through several jurisdictions before reaching buyers. Coordinated seizures, data sharing and financial investigations can reveal links that a single national inquiry might miss.
Readers can review Interpol’s October 7 operation summary and the Associated Press report dated October 7, 2026 for independent international reporting. AskNovus will update this report if authorities announce formal charges or major case outcomes.
More reporting on the intersection of law enforcement and environmental harm appears in Climate and Crime & Courts.
Image credit: Leon Beckert via Unsplash.