INTERPOL was founded in 1923 with the noblest of intentions. Following the globalization of the world after World War I, with increased opportunities for criminals to travel and hide in other countries, INTERPOL was created to facilitate police communications between member nations, assist in the hunt for fugitives from justice, and help prevent international crime from proliferating.

International extradition is the legal process in which a requesting country seeks the surrender of an individual by the requested country for prosecution or, if the individual is a fugitive from justice, to serve a sentence after conviction. In the United States, extradition is based on treaties with other countries. Before another country can ask for an individual to be returned, the U.S. must have an extradition treaty with that nation.

In today’s global economy, every financial transaction has the potential to be an international one. If the sale involves U.S. dollars, then it is overseen by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC).  The OFAC is charged with ensuring that no American companies use American assets to support terrorism, narcotics or human trafficking, sales or manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, or other prohibited activities.

Like other international agencies, INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, is surrounded by more mystery and romance than it probably deserves. INTERPOL is not a police agency, has no arrest powers, and does not hunt down international fugitives. INTERPOL functions as an international law enforcement coordination organization. It serves as a central database for 195 member nations to share information, receive assistance in tracking down criminals, and help interdict trafficking in narcotics and humans, among other issues.