Operation Sanu arrested 200 people for illegal mining in Western Africa. It seized massive amounts of dangerous chemicals and highlights the severe human and environmental consequences of such activities. The operation also targeted illegal sand mining in The Gambia. Funded by the UK’s Home Office, it aims to support law enforcement in tackling illegal mining issues in the region.
Operation Sanu, conducted from July to October 2024, targeted illegal mining activities in Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal, resulting in the arrest of 200 individuals. INTERPOL, in collaboration with national law enforcement, deployed hundreds of officers to investigate illegal mining operations in these remote regions. The joint effort not only disrupted criminal activities but also enhanced cooperative law enforcement strategies across borders.
The successful implementation of Operation Sanu underscores the critical need for multinational cooperation in combating illegal mining and its pervasive consequences. With significant seizures and arrests, the operation illuminates the grave human and environmental impacts of these illegal activities on local communities and ecosystems. Authorities now have better insights into the challenges posed by illicit mining operations in Western Africa.
Original Source: www.interpol.int
