The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) is a global body dedicated to combating transnational crimes by facilitating cooperation between law enforcement worldwide. It helps countries identify and arrest fugitives who operate across national borders. One of their main tools in achieving this is the issuance of the Interpol wanted list.

What is Interpol’s Wanted List?
Contrary to popular belief, Interpol doesn’t maintain a traditional “wanted persons list”. Instead, Interpol issues color-coded notices, such as Red or Green Notices. These notices serve as international requests to law enforcement worldwide for cooperation in gathering information related to crimes, identifying criminals, locating and arresting a person pending extradition. However, such a notice doesn’t constitute an International arrest warrant for the wanted person. It’s rather a tool used by Interpol to communicate with member nations about persons wanted for crimes in other countries.
Consequences of Being on Interpol’s Wanted List
While it’s not an international arrest warrant, being on Interpol’s wanted list can have significant and far-reaching consequences:
- Risk of Arrest and Detention – Interpol red notices give national police authorities the right to provisionally arrest and detain an individual pending extradition.
- Wanted individuals can be apprehended without prior warning, potentially leading to detention pending extradition.
- Extradition Proceedings – The requesting country typically requests the surrender of the individual to stand trial or serve a prison sentence.
- International Travel Restrictions – Similar to an International arrest warrant, Interpol notices can severely restrict a person’s ability to cross national borders. Airports and border control authorities routinely check individuals against international databases, including those maintained by Interpol.
Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
Here are names of several wanted persons as indicated on the Interpol Red Notice list – in no ranking order.
- Hernandez Campos Jose Isaias (Age: 30 years) from El Salvador.
- Kalibatov Marat, (Age: 37 years) from Russia;
- Gafarova Irina, (Age: 51 years) from Russia;
- Mendes Magana Rafael Edgardo (31 years) from El Salvador;
- Roach Kenroy (32 years) from Jamaica.
- Garcia Gonzales Jose Jaime (28 years) from El Salvador;
- Hernandes Lopex Elmer Alexander (27 years) from El Salvador;
- Dos Santos Emanuel Eduardo (33 years) from Brazil.
- AL Ajeil Adel Abdalkader (23 years) from Syria;
- Pansuk SIriwipa (27 years) from Thailand.
Individuals included in Interpol’s most wanted list have committed crimes ranging from armed robbery to murder, rape, and child abuse.
Interpol Wanted List Search
To know whether you’re wanted by law enforcement authorities worldwide, check the wanted persons section on Interpol’s official website. This page lists individuals facing Interpol Red notices, their charges, and the requesting country. However, only about 30% of the data processed by Interpol is publicly accessible through their website.
For a more thorough search through the Interpol database, it’s advisable to employ a qualified extradition lawyer if you suspect you’re on the International Most Wanted list. A qualified extradition attorney will apply to Interpol on your behalf and access Interpol’s files.