INTERPOL Americas meeting strengthens regional commitment to combating organised crime

NASSAU, The Bahamas – INTERPOL’s regional conference on the Americas concluded with a call for closer cooperation against the multiple threats posed by organised criminal networks and the associated increase in violence.

The meeting concluded with recommendations for enhanced activities to:

• Protect vulnerable communities from human trafficking, smuggling and crimes against children;
• Combat drug trafficking and organised crime;
• Address the increase in all forms of environmental crime, such as illegal mining, fishing, forestry and wildlife crime; and,
• Tackle vehicle crime, as it is increasingly intertwined with other forms of crime, including all forms of human trafficking, money laundering and corruption.

Senior police officials also highlighted the increasing use of INTERPOL’s notification system to identify, locate and arrest members of criminal gangs. This system is crucial for disrupting organised crime networks and identifying possible links to terrorism.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Vice-President for the Americas, who chaired the conference, said:

“Transnational criminal networks exploit the divide between our systems and jurisdictions, and they grow stronger where we are divided. Through our collective efforts, we can close this divide. This conference has provided an opportunity to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ones, and reinforce the bonds of trust and cooperation that are essential to combating crime on a regional and global scale.”

During the meeting, delegates were also updated on the achievements of cooperation through INTERPOL in combating financial crime, cyber and cyber-related crime, as well as on capacity building programmes in the region.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

“A key lesson from this meeting is that sharing works. Whether it’s expertise or information, sharing delivers results. This Americas conference has further underscored the region’s commitment to regional and international police cooperation and provides a strong platform for even greater successes in the future.”

The three-day conference (September 11-13) brought together senior law enforcement officials from 35 countries in North and South America and around the world.