Huge INTERPOL investigation into illegal wildlife trade across 18 countries

Indian officials inspect traditional medicines for wildlife airport at Kolkata airport. ©Wildlife Control Bureau, India

Bear, tiger and rhino products
National wildlife enforcement authorities, police, customs and specialized units from 18 countries across five continents worked together as part of Operation Tram which ran throughout February. During the month-long operation, investigations into individuals and companies as well as inspections of premises such as seaports and wholesalers revealed a large amount of medicines either containing or marketing the use of illegal ingredients such as tiger, bear and rhinoceros.

David Higgins, Manager of the INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme, said "A primary goal of Operation Tram was to combat the illegal trade in endangered wildlife, which is a threat to our planet's biodiversity and demonstrates the commitment of INTERPOL and its member countries in fighting this type of crime. This operation has again proved that while environmental criminals may cross borders and display high levels of organization, so too will the international law enforcement community in its efforts to apprehend those criminals.

"The success of this operation would not have been possible without the close co-operation and dedication of the police, customs, wildlife law enforcement agencies and specialized units in the 18 participating countries."

The operation was developed in response to the increasing use of endangered and protected wildlife products in traditional medicines throughout the world.

18 countries
Countries involved in Operation Tram were Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, India, Italy, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

Investigations are continuing.