Latin American police and Interpol carried out a successful three-week operation across 15 countries, seizing $5bn worth of drugs and illicit firearms, making almost 15,000 arrests and disrupting the workings of powerful gangs. 

Police in Latin America, with the help of Interpol, carried out a three-week operation spanning 15 countries, resulting in the seizure of drugs and firearms worth $5bn. More than 8,000 illicit firearms were seized, and almost 15,000 arrests were made. The operation, dubbed Trigger IX, was aimed at fighting the trafficking of illicit firearms, but it disrupted the workings of several powerful gangs, including the First Capital Command and Mara Salvatrucha. The smuggling of weapons strengthens gangs’ power and further fuels their criminal activities. The operation has led to the seizure of large amounts of ammunition, even in countries that have not previously been associated with large-scale gun violence. 

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65311076