Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A monthlong crackdown targeting international wildlife trafficking led to 500 arrests and the seizure of 2,114 endangered species, according to initial data released from a joint investigative operation by Interpol and the World Customs Organization.
The seizures, part of an annual global sting that began as Operation Thunder in 2017, was conducted this year between Oct. 2-27 in collaboration with numerous law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions in 133 countries.During the operation, authorities confiscated 30 tons of endangered plants and thousands of live animals, such as turtles, elephants, rhinos, pangolins and primates. They also seized more than 550 tons of protected timber, particularly tropical hardwoods, which was enough wood to fill 440 shipping containers, authorities said.
Agents seized 53 primates, four big cats and more than 1,300 rare birds, as well as nearly 700 pounds of ivory from elephant tusks, thousands of turtle eggs, rhino horns, leopard skins, and lion's teeth and paws.
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There were also numerous pieces of animal body parts that were potentially headed to the black market.
"As part of a comprehensive strategy, customs play a pivotal role in disrupting criminal networks involved in the illegal wildlife trade," said WCO Secretary-General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya. "This is achieved by enforcing strict controls at borders, effectively closing off avenues for exploitation and financial gain available to traffickers."
A high number of the animals and materials have been linked to organized crime while legitimate online platforms were increasingly being used by smugglers to fence the illegal goods, the global policing agencies said in a joint statement.
Investigators set up checkpoints in multiple regions worldwide, searching hundreds of vehicles and cargo ships. Police sniffer dogs and X-ray scanners aimed to uncover concealed wildlife and timber shipments, while agents examined suitcases, which are often used by smugglers to transport wildlife species.
The tainted timber was often found mixed in with authentic wood, masking its origins as it navigates the supply chain, while falsified documents are employed to sustain the illicit operation.
"Wildlife and forestry crimes deprives countries of their natural assets and are invariably linked to armed violence, corruption, and a wide range of financial crimes which serve as the backbone of larger transnational crime operations worldwide," said Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock.
Border Force seize big cat body parts and crocodile blood
12th December 2023
By Andre Rhoden-Paul
BBC News
Thousands of illegal wildlife products, including crocodile blood, big cat body parts and rhino horns, have been seized in an operation by UK Border Force.
Clothes and accessories made from turtle shell, snakeskin and ivory were also among the 145 seizures in October, the Home Office said.
More than 50 live birds were also among the illegal wildlife products.
The UK seizures were part of a global operation across more than 133 countries that led to 500 arrests.
Consumer products containing cactus, orchid and caviar were found, alongside more than 300kg of ivory.
Thousands of turtle eggs, 30 tonnes of plants, as well as primates, birds and marine species were also discovered.
The Home Office has been asked about the number of UK arrests linked to the action, known as Operation Thunder.
Minister for legal migration and delivery Tom Pursglove said: "The illegal wildlife trade is driven by criminal gangs and threatens species with extinction, fuels corruption, and deprives the world's poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods.
"Border Force plays a leading global role in eradicating this damaging illegal trade and our recent successes under Operation Thunder are proof of this."
The Home Office said it wants to help protect the overall decline of nature and meet the government's target of protecting 30% of nature by 2030 - which was agreed internationally at a UN summit.
Wildlife crime is believed to be worth up to £17bn globally a year and is the fourth-largest international crime, according to Interpol who co-led the global operation with the World Customs Organisation.
The Born Free charity, which campaigns to end the wildlife trade, said trafficking was closely tied to corruption, fraud and money laundering.
Dr Mark Jones, the organisation's head of policy, said: "With so much of the world's wildlife in crisis, it's vital that our enforcement agencies are properly resourced to enable this essential and highly specialised work to continue."
By Andre Rhoden-Paul
BBC News
Thousands of illegal wildlife products, including crocodile blood, big cat body parts and rhino horns, have been seized in an operation by UK Border Force.
Clothes and accessories made from turtle shell, snakeskin and ivory were also among the 145 seizures in October, the Home Office said.
More than 50 live birds were also among the illegal wildlife products.
The UK seizures were part of a global operation across more than 133 countries that led to 500 arrests.
Consumer products containing cactus, orchid and caviar were found, alongside more than 300kg of ivory.
Thousands of turtle eggs, 30 tonnes of plants, as well as primates, birds and marine species were also discovered.
The Home Office has been asked about the number of UK arrests linked to the action, known as Operation Thunder.
Minister for legal migration and delivery Tom Pursglove said: "The illegal wildlife trade is driven by criminal gangs and threatens species with extinction, fuels corruption, and deprives the world's poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods.
"Border Force plays a leading global role in eradicating this damaging illegal trade and our recent successes under Operation Thunder are proof of this."
The Home Office said it wants to help protect the overall decline of nature and meet the government's target of protecting 30% of nature by 2030 - which was agreed internationally at a UN summit.
Wildlife crime is believed to be worth up to £17bn globally a year and is the fourth-largest international crime, according to Interpol who co-led the global operation with the World Customs Organisation.
The Born Free charity, which campaigns to end the wildlife trade, said trafficking was closely tied to corruption, fraud and money laundering.
Dr Mark Jones, the organisation's head of policy, said: "With so much of the world's wildlife in crisis, it's vital that our enforcement agencies are properly resourced to enable this essential and highly specialised work to continue."
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