Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife

	Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion
	GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies

Smuggled ivory were seized by Hai Phong Customs on March 20, 2023. Photo: T.Binh.

365 suspects are arrested

According to the WCO, the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Operation Thunder 2024 aims to combat criminal networks involved in illegal trafficking of wildlife and forestry products.

Operation Thunder 2024 (11 November - 6 December) brought together Customs, Police, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017.

WCO and INTERPOL said that this was the largest seizure operation. Criminal networks illegally trafficked animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to meet specific market demands, whether for food, perceived medicinal benefits, “luxury” and collector items or as pets and competition animals.

During the Operation Thunder, authorities have arrested 365 suspects identified six transnational criminal networks.

According to Operation Thunder 2024 statistics, the live animals, which included big cats, birds, pangolins, primates and reptiles were rescued in connection with 2,213 seizures made worldwide.

Where possible, wildlife forensic experts collected DNA samples before transferring the animals to conservation centres, where their health was assessed while awaiting repatriation or rehabilitation, in line with national frameworks and relevant protocols.

The collection of DNA is a crucial part of supporting prosecutions, as it helps confirm the type of species and its origin or distribution, shedding light on new trafficking routes and emerging trends.

Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General said that Operation Thunder continues to shed light on a crime that is often not a priority for enforcement officers.

Through joint efforts WCO have established cooperation mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence, and refined the enforcement strategies.

Illegal wildlife trade still rapidly growing, highly lucrative and has devastating effects.

Additionally, the countries have seized hundreds of thousands of parts and products derived from protected animals, plants, marine species and arthropods.

Infringing products mainly are transported by sea

The WCO said that Timber cases represent the most significant seizures, primarily occurring in sea cargo container shipments, while most seizures involving the other categories of goods took place at airports and mail-processing hubs.

The authorities also investigated online trade and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.

The authorities also identified more than 100 companies involved in the trafficking of protected species.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General, said that the organized crime networks are profiting from the demand for rare plants and animals, exploiting nature to fuel human greed. to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.

This has far-reaching consequences. It drives biodiversity loss, destroys communities, contributes to climate change and even fuels conflict and instability.

Environmental crimes are uniquely destructive.