Interpol’s record drug bust: 76 tonnes seized globally, India on list; fentanyl recovered could kill 151 million

According to Interpol, authorities intercepted a total of 76 tonnes of drugs, including 51 tonnes of methamphetamine

In one of the largest synthetic drug seizures in history, Interpol said its coordinated Operation Lionfish–Mayag III has resulted in authorities seizing a massive 76 tonnes of narcotics worth $6.5 billion in merely two weeks.

Operation Lionfish-Mayag III, carried out between June 30 to July 13, focused on combating the manufacturing, trafficking and smuggling of synthetic drugs across 18 countries in Asia and North America, according to an official statement by Interpol.

“The Operational Coordination Unit, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, brought together specialised officers and international partners to work together in real-time on transnational cases,” the statement added.

Massive 76 tonnes of drugs recovered

According to Interpol, authorities intercepted a total of 76 tonnes of drugs, including 51 tonnes of methamphetamine - highlighted by a record 297 million meth pills, known as ‘yaba’ - along with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and chemical precursors. The fentanyl seized reportedly had the potential to kill 151 million people.

386 arrests were made in total during the two-week operation, including the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice suspected of running a large-scale methamphetamine smuggling operation into Incheon National Airport.

Ketamelon expose

India was among the countries that worked in coordinated crackdown.

In India, authorities from the Narcotics Control Bureau dismantled a top darknet drug syndicate known as "Ketamelon", the Interpol said. The operation resulted in the seizure of LSD blots and ketamine, as well as digital assets valued at approximately $87,000. Investigations revealed the vendor was responsible for more than 600 drug shipments in the past 14 months.

Authorities in Myanmar intercepted two suspicious vehicles, one carrying 22kg of heroin hidden behind pineapples, and the other containing 5.25 million yaba pills. Investigations traced both shipments to the same person and a subsequent house search led to the seizure of an additional 4 million pills.

Across the operation, authorities seized vehicles, properties, weapons, mobile phones and drug manufacturing equipment, the Interpol said. In Lao PDR, this included 3.9 tonnes of methamphetamine and 10 production machines, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

Drugs hidden in everyday products

According to Interpol, in the Maldives, authorities intercepted 3.86kg of ketamine concealed inside a surfboard sent from the Netherlands.

In Myanmar, a new modus operandi was identified with heroin packaged in powdered tea.

In the Philippines, postal seizures uncovered multiple shipments of ketamine from Germany, Poland and France, hidden inside an espresso machine and bags of cat food.