Climate

Crackdown reveals ‘industrial-scale’ wildlife and timber trafficking across Latin America

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 08/10/2026, 18:09:24 UTC.

Briefings

A two-month Interpol-led operation called Operation Madre Tierra, conducted in June and July 2026 across nine Latin American countries, successfully arrested hundreds of individuals and recovered over 1,000 animals. Investigators identified an industrial-scale trafficking network operating along the Central and South American corridor, with products destined for European and Asian markets. Seized wildlife included rare insects, birds, and big cats such as two endangered white Bengal tigers and various lions, while 165 kilograms of shark fins were confiscated. Financial transactions were traced to link profits to illegal activities like gold mining.

Key points

• Operation Madre Tierra was the eighth edition of an Interpol-led initiative, conducted in June and July 2026 across Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama.
• Investigators seized 165 kilograms of dried shark fins, which were estimated to be worth $280,000 if sold on the Asian market.

Context and limitations

Evidence covers only the eight countries involved in the operation; specific details on the number of arrested individuals remain unconfirmed, and the article does not provide the full scope of recovered animal species beyond the listed categories.

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