Thousands of unlicensed and illegal wildlife products have been
seized by Border Force as part of an intensive international
operation to target the criminal networks behind wildlife crime.
From 11 November to 6 December 2024, Border Force officers taking
part in Operation Thunder 24 made 217 seizures of wildlife
products which are controlled by the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES).
Seizures included live plants, a range of beauty products
containing caviar and cactus extracts, a quantity of bear bile
and clothes and accessories containing animal skins.
Border Force officers also detected over 400 live birds as part
of the operation including rosella parakeets, king parrots,
African grey parrots and blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Where
possible, Border Force will rehome any live animals found.
Operation Thunder is a global effort to target the illegal
wildlife trade and is co-led by Interpol and the World Customs
Organisation.
Wildlife crime is estimated to be worth up to £17 billion
globally per year and is the fourth largest international crime
according to Interpol, behind only arms, drugs and human
trafficking. Strengthening border security and breaking the
criminal networks that seek to abuse our borders is a key part of
the government's plan for change.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, , said:
“Detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products is not just a
matter of enforcement, but a vital act of preservation for this
planet's biodiversity.
“The work of Border Force in interrupting this serious organised
crime is critical to the UK's efforts to regulate the
international trade in endangered species.”
Border Force Director for National Operations, Danny
Hewitt said:
“Wildlife crime is a serious organised crime which fuels
corruption, threatens species with extinction, deprives some of
the world's poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods, and
degrades ecosystems.
“We take an intelligence-led approach to detecting illegal trade
and work closely with our partners across the global community to
share training, expertise and skills.”
Minister for Nature, said:
“Tackling wildlife crime is essential to protecting iconic
biodiversity at home and abroad. Criminal gangs must face justice
for the part they play in nature destruction for self-gain.
“These figures reflect the invaluable role of the Border Force in
safeguarding wildlife, and are an example of international
collaboration to combat global criminal networks.”
Border Force works closely with other enforcement agencies, both
nationally and internationally, to tackle the illegal wildlife
trade and keep borders secure. This includes the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal and Plant
Health Agency (APHA), London Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, amongst others.
This year's Operation Thunder was also supported by UK Police,
who executed 5 warrants in relation to bird egg smuggling, which
has so far resulted in the confiscation of over 5,000 bird eggs.
Operation Thunder 24 led to seizures in the UK which included:
- Over 400 live birds (51 CITES listed)
- 7kg of ivory
- 450 live plants
- 315kg of beauty products containing caviar
- Over 2,500 pills and 21.5kg of powders all containing
endangered plant and animal species
- Live corals
- Snow leopard garments
Border Force is responsible for frontline detection and seizure
of items covered by the CITES convention, which tackles
the illegal trade in endangered animals and plants. The
Heathrow-based Border Force CITES team are specialist
officers who are recognised as world leaders in their field.
Border Force's work to prevent the trade of unregulated and
illegal products made from endangered species is helping the
government in its safer streets mission by smashing organised
crime.
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked
to smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online at
gov.uk: Report smuggling - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
