In what is being hailed as the largest international operation targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking, nearly 300 people have been arrested in countries across the world, according to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
The operation, dubbed “Operation Trojan Shield,” was a joint effort between the DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and law enforcement agencies from Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. It involved the use of an encrypted messaging app called ANOM, which was created by the FBI and distributed to criminal organizations worldwide as a means of collecting evidence and gathering intelligence.
Over the course of the operation, law enforcement agencies were able to intercept millions of messages sent between criminals, providing valuable information about the inner workings of drug trafficking organizations. The information gathered led to the arrest of 224 people in the United States, 49 in Australia, 27 in New Zealand, and 17 in Europe.
According to the DOJ, the operation dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade, particularly in the fentanyl and opioid markets. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin, has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in recent years.
“The success of Operation Trojan Shield is a testament to the strength of international partnerships and the importance of cooperation in the fight against transnational crime,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a statement. “By taking down these criminal organizations, we have disrupted the flow of deadly drugs into our communities and sent a clear message to those who would seek to profit from the sale of opioids: we will not rest until justice is served.”
The operation is just one of many recent efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat the opioid epidemic, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people in the United States alone. While the operation marks a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking, officials say that there is still much work to be done to stem the flow of deadly opioids into communities around the world.
