Operation Madre Tierra Uncovers 'Industrial-Scale' Wildlife and Timber Trafficking in Latin America

A two-month coordinated operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries has resulted in the arrest of hundreds of people and the recovery of over 1,000 animals. The operation, led by Interpol, targeted environmental crimes and uncovered extensive networks of illegal timber and wildlife trafficking. The seized wildlife included reptiles, rare insects, and exotic birds, with big cats, such as Bengal tigers and lions, also being confiscated. In Nicaragua, authorities seized protected birds and dried shark fins, valued at $280,000, destined for the Asian market. Investigators also tracked financial transactions to identify how criminals evaded detection.