INTERPOL's Women-Led Operation Nets 48 Arrests in MENA

A three-week transnational border security operation, codenamed Phoenix, coordinated by INTERPOL across five countries in the Middle East and North Africa, resulted in 48 arrests, including nine individuals wanted internationally. Eight of these fugitives were subject to INTERPOL Red Notices, while one was under an INTERPOL Wanted Persons Diffusion.

This operation was part of Project Momentum-MENA, aimed at enhancing law enforcement capacities in the region, particularly through the training and deployment of women police officers, financially supported by the European Union. Notably, the operation led to the arrest of a suspect at Houari Bou Madian International Airport in Algiers, Algeria, linked to a 2022 shooting in Toulouse, France, and another prison escapee wanted for murder at the Algeria-Tunisia border.

Over 700,000 cross-checks were conducted against INTERPOL databases, resulting in 246 hits. Seizures included luxury vehicles, cash, gold, drugs, mobile phones, and smuggled cigarettes.

María Carmen Muñoz González, INTERPOL’s Director of Counter-Terrorism, stated the operation's success in apprehending internationally wanted individuals.