CBI and INTERPOL hold regional fact-finding meeting to combat tiger trafficking

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with INTERPOL, held a two-day Regional Investigative and Analytical Case Meeting (RIACM) to focus on solving the critical issue of tiger trafficking networks, a transnational threat , to focus This endangers the safety of tigers and other big cats throughout the region.

The event, which concluded on Friday, brought together subject matter experts from INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Program, senior law enforcement officials from Nepal and representatives from India’s specialized agencies that deal with wildlife crime, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). ) and the Economic Offenses II Division of the CBI, which specializes in environmental and wildlife crimes, a CBI statement said.

The main focus of this RIACM was to further strengthen cross-border law enforcement cooperation between Indian and Nepali law enforcement agencies and facilitate exchange of criminal intelligence on tiger trafficking routes, trends and criminal networks.

A major problem remains the smuggling route from India via Nepal to China, which continues to be widely used for the illegal trade in tigers, leopards and other big cats. Middlemen and traders involved in these networks coordinate the collection, storage and sale of contraband, thereby facilitating their transport to Far Eastern markets.

The meeting provided a platform for Indian and Nepalese authorities to exchange details of ongoing investigations related to tiger trade to strengthen intelligence enforcement activities. Participants will remap existing criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking, with a focus on identifying new targets and vetting prominent criminal entities for further coordinated action.

Indian and Nepalese authorities will work closely together to launch operations against identified criminal targets, using INTERPOL channels to work with law enforcement agencies in other countries affected by the smuggling routes.

INTERPOL’s global reach and resources will be used to facilitate exchanges

Gather intelligence, identify international connections in criminal networks, and coordinate transnational efforts to disrupt illegal wildlife trade.

The meeting underscored the importance of international cooperation in combating tiger trafficking, which has serious implications for biodiversity conservation in the region. It also highlights India’s proactive efforts to curb the illegal wildlife trade in one of the world’s most famous species.

The results of this RIACM improved coordination between law enforcement agencies in India and Nepal with the overall goal of breaking the chains of tiger trafficking that extend across borders.

UNI PC BD