Interpol Notices: Types, Meaning, Purpose and How They Work

Interpol Notices are international alerts issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to help its 196 member countries locate fugitives, track suspects, identify missing persons, and share critical information related to crimes. These colour-coded notices play a major role in global policing and cross-border investigations.

This comprehensive guide explains what Interpol Notices are, their seven types, and how countries like India use them in extradition and criminal investigations.

What Are Interpol Notices?

Interpol Notices are formal international information-sharing alerts issued to police forces across the world. They help investigators:

• Track criminals across borders

• Identify suspects

• Locate missing persons

• Warn countries about threats

• Share criminal intelligence

Although very powerful, an Interpol Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is an essential tool for global cooperation but is enforced according to local laws of each country.

Seven Types of Interpol Notices (Explained in Detail)

1. Red Notice – Request to Locate and Arrest

A Red Notice is the most well-known Interpol alert.
It seeks:

• Location and provisional arrest of a wanted person

• For the purpose of extradition or deportation

Issued for crimes such as terrorism, murder, fraud, drug trafficking, and organized crime.

2. Blue Notice – Locate or Identify a Person of Interest

A Blue Notice is used to collect additional information about a suspect’s:

• Identity

• Location

• Activities

It is not an arrest request, but helps countries track suspects who may be moving across borders.

3. Yellow Notice – Missing Persons Alert

A Yellow Notice helps locate:

• Missing individuals, especially minors

• People who cannot identify themselves (e.g., lost memory, trafficking victims)

Used heavily in human trafficking and child safety cases.

4. Black Notice – Identification of Unknown Bodies

A Black Notice is issued to find information about:

• Unidentified bodies found in foreign countries

It helps solve cases linked to illegal migration, disaster victims, trafficking, and cross-border crimes.

5. Green Notice – Warning About Repeat Offenders

A Green Notice warns member countries about:

• Criminals who may repeat serious offences

• Individuals who pose a threat to public safety internationally

Used for sexual offenders, violent criminals, or habitual offenders who travel frequently.

6. Orange Notice – Threat Alert Notice

An Orange Notice alerts countries about:

• Imminent threats

• Dangerous objects, weapons, or explosive materials

• Criminal methods that pose a risk to security

Often used during global events, public gatherings, and counter-terrorism operations.

7. Purple Notice – Criminal Modus Operandi Alert

A Purple Notice shares intelligence on:

• Techniques used by criminals

• Tools, methods, and concealment strategies

• Trafficking routes and cybercrime patterns

Important for combating drug cartels, cybercriminal groups, and smuggling networks.

Interpol Special Notice (UN Sanctions List)

Beyond the seven colour-coded notices, Interpol also issues a Special Notice for individuals and groups under UN Security Council sanctions, especially related to terrorism and financial crime.

How Interpol Notices Work: Step-by-Step

1. A country’s police or national agency (e.g., CBI in India) requests a notice.

2. Interpol verifies the information and legal basis.

3. The notice is circulated to all 196 member countries.

4. Countries act on the notice based on their national laws—locating, detaining, or providing information.

5. Information is exchanged in real-time through Interpol’s secure network.

Is an Interpol Notice an Arrest Warrant?

No.
An Interpol Notice is not legally binding.
Arrests depend on:

• Local judicial authority

• Extradition treaties

• National laws

However, notices dramatically improve chances of tracking and capturing fugitives.

India and Interpol: How CBI Uses Notices

In India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) functions as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol.
CBI handles:

• All Interpol communication

• Red and Blue Notice requests

• Extradition coordination

• International fugitive tracking

CBI’s Global Operations Centre has traced 200+ fugitives abroad and enabled over 130 successful extraditions or deportations.

Importance of Interpol Notices in Global Crime Control

Interpol Notices are essential for:

• Cross-border intelligence sharing

• Preventing fugitives from escaping

• Coordinated international law enforcement

• Tackling global threats like terrorism, cybercrime, and human trafficking

As crime becomes more global, these notices are indispensable for maintaining global security.

Conclusion

Interpol Notices are powerful tools for international policing.
From Red Notices for fugitives to Blue Notices for tracking suspects, each colour-coded alert has a specific purpose. Understanding these notices is important for UPSC aspirants, law students, journalists, and anyone following global security and crime.

In an interconnected world, Interpol Notices help ensure that criminals cannot escape justice simply by crossing a border.

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