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| white tiger cub seized in Mexico |
INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization coordinated a worldwide effort in June that resulted in the seizure of thousands of protected animals and plants and the identification and arrest of 582 trafficking suspects. The operation spanned 111 countries. Intelligence collected before the 26 day operation began identified smuggling routes and hot spots to target. Over eighteen hundred seizures hauled in significant amounts of contraband: 2600 plants including 74 truckloads of timber; 440 elephant tusks; 10,000 live turtles and tortoises; 4300 birds; 23 live primates; and 30 live felines. An amazing 1.3
tons of pangolin scales and1.4 tons of dried seahorses were also collected.
INTERPOL Secretary Jürgen Stock said that the international illegal trade in wildlife not only strips our biosphere of natural resources but also has a societal impact through associated violence, fraud and money laundering. Operation Thunderball was clearly a successful law enforcement effort and a compelling example of international cooperation to defeat the illegal trade. It was funded by the UN, EU, UK and the US. Countries now need to close the loop with successful prosecutions that will deter those responsible for the rape of the Earth.
