Interpol, in collaboration with the United Nations, arrested several suspected terrorists in Africa’s Sahel region.

They retrieved more than 40,000 sticks of dynamite and detonator cords for illegal gold mining, the latest source of illicit funding for armed groups in Africa’s Sahel region.

The seven-day Operation KAFO II, jointly coordinated by Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, targeted trafficking networks at airports, seaports and land borders in Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Niger.

Officials seized scores of guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition, after checking more than 12,000 individuals, vehicles, containers, and goods against international criminal databases, and carrying out physical searches.

They also found nearly 1,500 kilograms of cannabis and a plant-based stimulant drug khat, 60,000 litres of contraband fuel, and more than 2,000 boxes of contraband medical drugs.

Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock says trafficking in firearms is a lucrative business which, in turn, fuels and funds other types of serious crimes.

UNODC and Interpol say the dynamite and detonator cords were destined for use in illegal gold mining, a new source of financing, also a potential recruiting ground for armed groups operating in the Sahel.

The agencies say that the seizure of large quantities of contraband gasoline in Niger and Mali represented a new trend. The fuel, believed to have come from Nigeria, may be used to both finance and supply the terrorist group Al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Officials also seized hand sanitiser, gel containers, gloves, and drugs during the operation.

The black market is responsible for sales of these items flourishing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than 260 officers from police, customs, and other national services in the four countries, participated in the operation, conducted from November 30 to December 6.

By Yadzaan khan