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Global Investigative Group Probes Wildlife Mafia

Chinese, African, Indian and ASEAN-WEN investigators discuss ways to reduce cross border ivory trafficking

Over 30 senior law enforcement officers representing eight countries from Southeast Asia, and law enforcement officers from China, Africa, and India met at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok to identify and take down global wildlife trafficking syndicates operating across their borders, destroying endangered tiger, elephant, and pangolin (scaly anteater) populations. These animals and their derivative products, such as ivory and traditional medicines, are in high demand around the World and among the most profitable trafficked between Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States, and other countries.

Organized by FREELAND, the Royal Thai Police and ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the four day closed door session (November 1-4) allows investigators to exchange updates on what they have learned since the Special Investigation Group (SIG) last met in January 2009. Investigators from Africa under the Kenya Wildlife Service in Kenya and the Lusaka Agreement Task Force in Uganda, as well as from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau in India are joining the group to compare information and intelligence. INTERPOL also participated in the meeting, along with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).

Read more: Vol 2010/05 - November Newsletter