New Delhi, Sep 16 (NationPress) The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) announced a groundbreaking operation against drug trafficking, resulting in an unprecedented seizure of synthetic drugs worth $6.5 billion. This significant achievement was reported on Tuesday.

Authorities successfully intercepted a staggering 76 tonnes of various drugs, including 51 tonnes of methamphetamine, as well as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and chemical precursors, spanning continents such as Asia and North America.

During the two-week operation, a total of 386 arrests were made, including a suspect with a red corner notice, linked to a major methamphetamine smuggling ring into Incheon National Airport.

This record-breaking seizure occurred as part of 'Operation Lionfish-Mayag III', which lasted from June 30 to July 13.

Operation Lionfish-Mayag III aimed to tackle the production, trafficking, and smuggling of synthetic drugs across 18 countries in Asia and North America.

In Sri Lanka, the Operational Coordination Unit united specialized personnel and international partners to collaborate in real-time on transnational drug cases.

Meanwhile, in India, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled a notorious Darknet drug syndicate called 'Ketamelon'. Authorities seized LSD blots, ketamine, and digital assets valued at approximately $87,000. Investigations revealed the vendor's involvement in over 600 drug shipments over the past 14 months.

In Myanmar, two vehicles were seized, one carrying 22kg of heroin hidden in pineapples and another with 5.25 million yaba pills. Further investigations traced both shipments to the same individual, leading to the discovery of an additional 4 million pills during a house search.

In the Lao PDR, authorities confiscated 3.9 tonnes of methamphetamine and 10 production machines, resulting in the arrest of two individuals.

In the Maldives, authorities intercepted 3.86kg of ketamine concealed within a surfboard, while traffickers in Myanmar hid heroin in powdered tea.

Operation Lionfish-Mayag III also brought significant successes in Mexico and the United States, where authorities seized over 190,000 fentanyl tablets and 1.7 tonnes of methamphetamine in Mexico.

In the United States, Drug Enforcement Administration officers confiscated MDMA pills mixed with fentanyl, while Indonesian authorities intercepted 116kg of xylazine, a veterinary tranquillizer often combined with fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine.

An official statement noted a concerning rise in nitazenes, extremely potent synthetic opioids that are up to 200 times more potent than morphine. Even small amounts can be lethal, making these drugs more profitable, easier to transport, and increasingly challenging to detect.

US authorities also seized a parcel containing metonitazene at JFK Airport, sent from the UK, and another package with protonitazene at Chicago O'Hare Airport, sent from China.

Commenting on this multinational police operation, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated, “The drugs trafficked by transnational criminal networks fuel violence, cripple economies and endanger public health. Each successful seizure highlights the power of law enforcement working together to protect lives and dismantle these threats.”