Analysis carried out by Europol shows that organised crime groups based in the European Union (EU) are trafficking endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Routes used for illegal immigration and drugs trafficking are also being used for smuggling rare animals, corals and valuable plants.

Europe is a key market for exotic animals such as toucans, parrots, spiders and crocodiles from Central and South America for example. In addition, with the use of false documents, tiger skins from the Far East, exotic birds from South America and turtles from North Africa are being smuggled into the EU. These animals are often traded with very high profits for the criminals. A bird, like an Ara Macaw, purchased for around €10 in the Brazilian rainforest, has a resale value of €1500 in Europe. The revenues generated by trafficking endangered species are estimated to be over €4.4 billion per year.

Animals are often trafficked as eggs and hatchlings, which are then smuggled by human couriers through international airports across the EU. In some cases, they are also trafficked by ship through seaports in South–West Europe, before being distributed throughout the EU by road. However, 90% of specimens being trafficked do not survive the capture and transportation phase. The use of counterfeit certificates, fake leg rings, and duplication of ring numbers and certificates for dead specimens is prevalent.

The Interpol Environmental Crime Programme produces enforcement manuals and guides to support agencies around the world. Some of the recommendations included in this programme are:

• Developing national multidisciplinary teams, including law enforcement, customs and environmental agencies, which are capable and equipped to investigate and prosecute individuals, companies, networks and organised crime groups engaged in trafficking endangered species.
• A tactical analysis of the Balkan Route, followed by intelligence–led investigations and enforcement actions to target organised crime groups within the supply chain from source, transit and demand countries.
• The use of controlled deliveries to disrupt organised crime groups engaged in the illegal trade of traditional medicines containing wildlife products, and exchange of best practice with experienced users of this method, such as the Russian Federation.
• A tactical analysis on the use of the internet by organised crime groups to facilitate the illegal trade in wildlife.

The findings from Europol’s analysis on trafficking in endangered species have been forwarded to Interpol’s Environmental Crime Programme. Global and regional operations targeting the illegal trade in wildlife coordinated by Interpol have led to hundreds of arrests worldwide, most recently Operation Ramp, which involved 51 countries and resulted in the seizure of thousands of animals and products worth more than €25 million.