Mongabay · Climate & nature

Latin American Wildlife and Timber Trafficking Operation Leads to Hundreds of Arrests

An Interpol-led operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries has resulted in hundreds of arrests and the recovery of over 1,000 animals as part of a crackdown on environmental crimes.

Operation Madre Tierra, conducted in June and July, uncovered illegal timber and wildlife trafficking networks operating on an "industrial scale" along the Central and South American corridor, with many products destined for Europe and Asia. Seized live wildlife included reptiles, insects, and exotic birds.

Notable seizures included endangered Bengal tigers, lions, ocelots, jaguars, and protected parrots and macaws in Mexico and Nicaragua. Approximately 165 kilograms of dried shark fins, potentially worth $280,000, were also confiscated.

Investigators are tracing financial transactions to identify and target the companies profiting from these trades, moving beyond just those physically involved in harvesting or handling illicit goods.

In Colombia, the operation expanded on a previous investigation into industrial-scale deforestation linked to over 170 companies accused of illegally clearing 52,000 hectares of protected Amazonian forest, leading to 16 arrests.

Costa Rica authorities seized 4.6 metric tons of cyanide and 11 containers of mercury, chemicals used in illegal gold mining that are toxic to wildlife and human health.

Overall, the operation led to 233 arrests and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forests, highlighting the transnational nature of environmental crime.

These collaborative enforcement efforts underscore the importance of sustained international cooperation to dismantle criminal networks that threaten global biodiversity.

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