Colombia’s national police on Thursday took control of Interpol, which had previously been run by the scandal-hit security agency DAS, reported news agency EFE.
A statement from the agency said that following an agreement signed in October of last year, the operation of Colombia’s central Interpol office would be put in the charge of the country’s Central Directorate of the Judicial Police and Intelligence (DIJIN).
“During the transfer process, which lasted about 90 days, DAS handed over to police the Interpol general file, in which there are more than 18,000 cases and 36 criminal police investigations,” said the statement.
The statement also indicated that 71 people would be hired to work in the new Interpol office in Bogota.
According to EFE, the DAS will still have access to the Interpol database in all of its regional offices and border points, in order to continue its duties concerning migration to and from Colombia.
DAS director, Felipe Munoz, highlighted the seriousness of the transfer procedure and praised the achievements of the international police organization while it had been under the control of the Colombian security agency.