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Thursday, March 28, 2024

International Security Operation for Southeast Asian Games Identifies 120 Potential Threats

INTERPOL’s deployment of a specialized team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which concluded December 11, to support law enforcement authorities in Manila has identified over 120 potential threats and led to the arrest of a number of international fugitives.

The INTERPOL Major Events Support Team (IMEST) assisted local authorities as part of the security infrastructure surrounding the event, preparing, coordinating and implementing security arrangements to prevent and address any terrorist threats and serious criminal offences.

The IMEST, located at a Multi Agency Command Center and the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, supported the Immigration and INTERPOL National Central Bureau officers for enhanced passenger screening and travel document examination at airports and border points, using INTERPOL’s global policing capabilities.

More than four million searches were conducted against INTERPOL’s databases during the deployment of its team, resulting in over 120 potential threats identified following ‘hits’ against its Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) and other databases containing information on internationally wanted criminals. The deployment of the IMEST was supported by INTERPOL’s Project Riptide, which aims to tackle foreign terrorist fighter movement in Southeast Asia.

Further investigative leads were also generated in a number of cases – including on more than 25 internationally wanted persons targeted by Red Notices in connection with charges including murder, fraud, bribery, firearms, drugs and crimes against children.

Notably, seven Korean fugitives, wanted under charges ranging from assault to fraud and high-tech crimes, were identified as INTERPOL’s IMEST team checked arrival and departure data from the Manila and Cebu airports. All seven fugitives were detained and successfully extradited to the Republic of Korea where they were arrested.

A British citizen wanted for crimes against children was also flagged as he departed the Philippines for the United Kingdom and was promptly arrested on arrival.

The IMEST team’s work that led to the arrests also demonstrated the effectiveness of INTERPOL’s Facial Recognition System, an automated software application that matches photos of suspected criminals with the biometric data in INTERPOL’s global databases.

During the two-week mission, INTERPOL’s facial recognition specialists identified 18 positive matches when cross-checking photos of suspected criminals with the biometric data on INTERPOL databases.

In one case, an individual was caught attempting to leave Manila on a passport reported stolen according to INTERPOL’s SLTD database. An analysis by INTERPOL’s facial recognition software later confirmed that the individual did not match his passport photo and he was swiftly placed in police custody pending further investigation.

Throughout the Games, INTERPOL’s 24-hour Command and Coordination Centre, and other specialized units were on standby to provide any additional assistance required to reach out to its 194 member countries.

Read more at INTERPOL

International Security Operation for Southeast Asian Games Identifies 120 Potential Threats Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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