Interpol announced the seizure of 30,000 live animals and the identification of 1,100 suspects in an unprecedented operation against wildlife trafficking.
The action, which revealed alarming connections with other criminal activities, involved 134 countries.
This is the Thunder 2025 operation, carried out between September 15 and October 15 in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO).
It reached historic levels of seizures, a record that Interpol attributed to the growing demand for exotic pets in the black market.
Record seizures of threatened fauna and flora
Authorities confiscated more than 30 tons of species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Wildlife trafficking ranged from mammals to products derived from endangered animals, according to Interpol.
The seizures also included tens of thousands of cubic meters of illegally logged timber, with more than 32,000 cubic meters and 14,000 pieces confiscated.
Additionally, a record figure of 5.8 tons of wild animal meat was seized globally.
Notable seizures include:
- Brazil: dismantling of a network with 145 suspects and rescue of more than 200 animals, including a golden lion tamarin;
- Mexico: confiscation of seven animals in Sinaloa, including two tigers, along with firearm components;
- Tanzania: more than 100 tusks and ivory pieces valued at $415,000, plus 140 hippopotamus teeth;
- Kenya: seizure of 400 kilos of giraffe meat;
- Dominican Republic: arrest of 90 people for illegal logging;
- Qatar: arrest of an individual attempting to sell an endangered primate for $14,000 on social media
The links between wildlife trafficking and organized crime discovered by Interpol
The Secretary General of Interpol, Brazilian Valdecy Urquiza, highlighted that the operation exposed the sophistication of criminal networks driving illegal trade and wildlife trafficking.
“These networks are increasingly interconnected with other criminal areas, such as drug trafficking and human exploitation,” he warned.
The case of Mexico illustrated these connections, where the seized animals were found associated with weapon components frequently linked to organized crime.
The Thunder 2025 operation represented the ninth action of this type coordinated by Interpol.
The results underscore the global magnitude of wildlife trafficking and the need for international cooperation to combat these criminal activities.
Authorities managed to identify transnational patterns in the illegal trade, from the capture of wild animals to their sale in black markets and digital platforms.
The geographical diversity of the seizures shows that wildlife trafficking constitutes a global threat to biodiversity, Interpol notes.
Experts agree that the demand for exotic species as pets continues to fuel this illicit trade.
Thus, the survival of animal populations already threatened by habitat loss and climate change is at risk.
