In a significant move to bolster international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime, Interpol has introduced a new colour-coded alert system known as the Silver Notice. The pilot phase for this initiative involves 52 countries and territories and will run at least until November 2025, marking a pivotal development in global law enforcement collaboration.
What is a Silver Notice?
The Silver Notice aims to assist law enforcement agencies worldwide in tracing and recovering criminal assets. It is a powerful tool designed to combat various forms of crime, including:
- Fraud
- Corruption
- Drug trafficking
- Environmental crimes
This initiative also seeks to enhance international police cooperation by facilitating the identification and recovery of assets linked to criminal activities.
Purpose and Functionality
- Member countries can request information about assets linked to criminal activities.
- These assets may include properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.
- The information gathered through Silver Notices can serve as the basis for bilateral requests for the seizure, confiscation, or recovery of assets, subject to national laws.
- Italy spearheaded the request for the Notice, targeting assets linked to a senior member of the mafia.
Other Interpol Colour-Coded Notices
Interpol’s Silver Notice is the latest addition to a comprehensive suite of colour-coded alerts designed to facilitate international crime control:
- Red Notice: A request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal action.
- Yellow Notice: Issued to help locate missing persons, especially minors, or to assist in identifying persons.
- Blue Notice: Used to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a crime.
- Black Notice: Seeks information about unidentified bodies.
- Green Notice: Provides warnings about a person’s criminal activities when they are considered a threat to public safety.
- Orange Notice: Warns of imminent threats posed by events, persons, objects, or processes.
- Purple Notice: Seeks or provides information on criminal modus operandi, including devices and concealment methods.
About Interpol
The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) was founded in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) during the 2nd International Criminal Police Congress in Vienna, Austria. It remains the only organization with the mandate and technical infrastructure to share police information globally.
- India’s Membership: India became a member of Interpol in 1949.
- National Central Bureau: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as India’s designated National Central Bureau for ICPO-INTERPOL activities.
Implications and Future Prospects
The Silver Notice represents a significant stride in fostering international collaboration in asset recovery and criminal investigations. By enabling member countries to trace and recover illicit assets, it not only disrupts criminal networks but also strengthens legal frameworks for international cooperation.
As the pilot phase progresses, the effectiveness of the Silver Notice will be closely monitored, with potential for expanded adoption beyond the initial 52 countries and territories. This initiative underscores Interpol’s commitment to innovation in crime fighting and global security.
