Nearly 20,000 live animals seized in global wildlife trafficking operation News
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Nearly 20,000 live animals seized in global wildlife trafficking operation

INTERPOL reported on Tuesday that “Operation Thunder” 2024 against wildlife and forestry trafficking, coordinated jointly with the World Customs Organization (WCO), resulted in the seizure of nearly 20,000 live animals and the arrest of 365 suspects.

In 2024, Operation Thunder united law enforcement agencies from 138 countries and regions, making it the largest-ever global operation against environmental crimes.

Operation Thunder protects animals and plants under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES is an international agreement between governments, established after a meeting of the WCO. Its goal is to stop the billion-dollar global wildlife trade as a result of the trafficking of millions of specimens.

Experts estimate that the illegal wildlife trade is worth up to USD $20 billion per year. INTERPOL’s Wildlife Enforcement team has developed new strategies to combat environmental crimes on a global scale. These strategies allow police to collaborate directly with counterparts, even between countries with no diplomatic relations, while staying within the limits of existing laws.

Last year, Operation Thunder saw its highest participation since its launch in 2017. In 2023, 133 countries took part, leading to 2,114 seizures of wildlife, marine and forestry products. As the 2023 operation was marked for finding trafficking products, the 2024 operation rescued mostly live animals in 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

The success of the operation in recent years is highlighted by the co-founding of well-known organizations, including the EU, the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The participation of numerous countries contributed to the success of intelligence efforts in last year’s operations, targeting high-value suspects. INTERPOL country members continuously updated critical information about suspected traffickers wanted internationally in INTERPOL Red Notices.

INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza stated, “The illegal wildlife trade is still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects. The WCO remains committed to supporting its members and partners to effectively combat this serious crime.” The success of an operation is not enough when it comes to environmental crimes. INTERPOL wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring animals to conservation centers. This helps determine the origin and distribution of the species. With this information, the organization can investigate the emerging trends and look for potential new trafficking routes for the future.

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