WCO-Led Bust Seizes 2,100 Items of Endangered Flora and Fauna
A global customs operation spanning three continents led to over 70 seizures of protected wildlife and their derivatives, trade in which is barred or regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the World Customs Organization said. Operation HOPE targeted air and maritime consignments, and passengers from Oct. 22-31 to identify illicit shipments of endangered wildlife and other species, with the support of the CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, The Lusaka Agreement Task Force and others, it said.
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Forty-one customs administrations in Africa, Asia and Europe worked together, resulting in several arrests and the seizure of 2,100 items. They include rhino horns, raw and worked ivory, lives tortoises, dead seahorses and 20 orchids, the WCO said. In addition to intercepting more than 150 kg of bushmeat, of which 25 kg turned out to be meat from protected species such as crocodiles and pythons, customs officials also found 408 tons of unprocessed teak wood lacking the necessary export license, 6.6 kg of heroin, and nearly 16,000 pieces of cigarettes, it said.
Operation HOPE was carried out under the auspices of Project GAPIN, a WCO-coordinated initiative financed by Sweden to build the capacities of customs officers at borders to detect, intercept and seize illegal shipments of wildlife and other endangered species and to prevent corrupt practices that could fuel illicit trade, the WCO said.