A joint operation by the Federal and Civil Police of Brazil, in collaboration with the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (Ibama) and other agencies, managed to arrest 16 people linked to an international network dedicated to the illegal trafficking of wildlife.
The operation – carried out in multiple regions of the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo – dismantled a criminal scheme with connections to Uruguay and Argentina.
During the intervention, the following actions were taken:
- 11 judicial raids
- 5 individuals caught in the act
- Seizure of 18 birds, 7 turtles without documentation, and 3 firearms
- Confiscation of evidence of animal abuse and falsified documentation
The operations took place in locations such as Blumenau, Itajaí, Foz do Iguaçu, Gravataí, Santos, and Itaquaquecetuba, among others. According to the investigation, those involved coordinated the capture, storage, and clandestine transportation of birds, reptiles, and small mammals, using border routes in Uruguaiana, in southern Brazil.
A sophisticated digital and logistical network
The investigations, initiated in 2023 after a report from the non-profit organization Freeland Brazil, revealed the use of:
- Closed instant messaging groups for illegal trading
- Delivery apps to move animals within the country
- Third-party bank accounts to camouflage payments
Many of the trafficked species were transported under deplorable conditions, leading to high mortality en route, as confirmed by environmental experts.
Charges and international collaboration
The crimes attributed to those involved include:
- International trafficking of wildlife
- Unlawful association
- Falsification of public documents
- Smuggling and illegal possession of weapons
- Animal abuse
The operation has the cooperation of Interpol, and new arrest warrants are expected in the coming weeks as part of a regional strategy to dismantle the entire criminal network.
Wildlife trafficking: a direct threat to biodiversity
This case renews global concern about wildlife trafficking, a crime that:
- Erodes genetic diversity
- Destabilizes entire ecosystems
- Increases the risk of zoonoses and diseases transmissible to humans
“Fighting these networks is not only a legal issue but also an environmental and health priority”, emphasized by Ibama.
