INTERPOL’s Operation Sunbird II nabs seven internationally wanted terror suspects

INTERPOL announced on Wednesday that it apprehended seven internationally wanted terror suspects with the cooperation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of Operation Sunbird II.

Operation Sunbird II spanned all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations and involved some five million searches, resulting in seven arrests.

“The last few years have seen significant milestones in the INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL relations, notably in our cooperation on capacity building and training initiatives and on joint cross-border operations in addressing transnational crimes,” Ferdinand Bartolome, ASEANAPOL’s director of police services, said. “These developments underscore the enduring partnership between the two organizations, working together towards a common objective of ensuring peace and prosperity for all.”

Almost 100 “hits” were made during the investigation, including 71 on passports recorded in INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database

“Operation Sunbird II underlines how internal and international security depends on strong measures at border points to prevent dangerous individuals from traveling,” Michael O’Connell, INTERPOL’s director of operational support and analysis, said. “In this respect fostering inter-agency cooperation between all relevant law enforcement agencies involved in border security on land and at sea throughout the region is crucial.”