Interpol dismantles intl crime network, arrests 129 suspects in Spain, France

PARIS - Lyon-based international police agency Interpol on Thursday announced it had dismantled "an extensive organized crime network" and detained 129 suspects, including "several high-level individuals."

Supported by the interpol, the operation led by the Spanish National Police "targeted transnational Eurasian organized crime networks and the criminals at the highest ranks, known as 'Thieves in Law'," it said in a statement.

The network was suspected of involvement in a range of transnational crimes including drug and weapons trafficking, money laundering, fraud and corruption.

After a two-and-a-half year investigation, 129 individuals, most from Armenian origin, were arrested across Spain and in France, according to the statement.

Among the detainees, they were "seven suspected Thieves in Law from the highest level of the Eurasian criminal hierarchy," it said.

Police also seized weapons, vehicles, jewelry, illicit cigarettes and cash during raids at more than 70 properties.

"These criminal networks have no regard for national borders as they seek to make a profit from their illicit activities," said Paul Stanfield, Interpol's director of organized and emerging crime.

"International cooperation using Interpol's policing capabilities can uncover connections between cases and help police identify known criminals residing in their jurisdictions," he added.