Interpol Operation Nets 12 Terror Suspects at Mediterranean Ports

Launched from July 24 to September 8, with the participation of six countries, including Morocco, this operation "aimed at the threats posed by these individuals suspected of using maritime links between North Africa and Southern Europe during the high tourist season," says a statement from the police cooperation organization.

For the Neptune operation, seven ports were targeted, namely those of Algeria, Spain, France, Italy, Tunisia and Morocco. "The teams carried out more than 1.2 million searches on Interpol’s specialized databases on stolen or lost travel documents, criminal data and stolen vehicles, through Interpol’s secure global communication network - I-24/7," it said.

As a result, 31 new investigations were opened, including more than 12 related to the movement of persons suspected of terrorism. "When information is shared between regions on Interpol’s international networks, each random border verification, control or search can help advance a terrorism investigation," said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock, quoted by the organization.