The operation led to a large haul in Latin America and Europe, with Costa Rica reporting the most arrests (about 375) and Paraguay recording a record cannabis seizure, while Ireland identified and dismantled its first cocaine processing laboratory.

Officials say the effort targeted underlying networks and resources, not just shipments, aiming to disrupt the crime economy at its foundations.

The main criminal markets targeted spanned drug and human trafficking, arms trafficking, document fraud, and environmental crime.

Atlas Nexus spanned 34 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, coordinating across Europol, Interpol, Frontex, and Ameripol.

The operation mobilized more than 8,680 police and judicial authorities to execute the multinational effort.

Authorities seized a vast array of assets: tens of tonnes of drugs, hundreds of firearms and rounds, significant cash and cryptocurrency, animals, properties, jewelry, fraudulent documents, and a vehicle.

In total, about 156.9 tonnes of drugs were seized, 490 arrests were made, and 18 victims were rescued, marking the largest joint effort of its kind between the regions.

Investigations uncovered laboratories and illicit sites, including a cocaine processing lab in Ireland and two illegal gold mining sites in French Guiana.