Latest news with #AmazonBasin
Washington Post
10-07-2025
- Washington Post
Over 90 arrests made in global crackdown on environmental crime in the Amazon Basin
BOGOTA, Colombia — Assets worth over $64 million were seized and 94 people arrested as part of a multinational law enforcement operation targeting environmental crime in the Amazon Basin . The crackdown, coordinated by the United Arab Emirates , has struck a major blow to transnational environmental crime networks, officials said. The campaign, which ran from June 23 to July 6, mobilized more than 1,500 officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Authorities conducted over 350 coordinated raids targeting illegal mining , wildlife trafficking, logging and fuel smuggling across some of the Amazon's most remote and ecologically sensitive regions. Dubbed Operation Green Shield, the crackdown was coordinated by the UAE's Ministry of Interior through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a platform launched in 2023 to support climate-related policing. A central command center was established in Colombia's capital, Bogota, with real-time data sharing, officials said. 'Environmental crime displaces communities, fuels violence against women and children, and erodes cultural heritage. These are not just crimes against nature — they are crimes against people,' Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Coordinator of I2LEC, told The Associated Press in a call. Humaid said countries worked closely to set shared priorities, ensuring the operation aligned with both national objectives and broader international goals. ¨That's what made it different — it wasn't top-down, it was a joint design and execution,' she said. Among the seizures were more than 310 tons of raw minerals, 3,800 cubic meters of timber , 39,000 gallons of smuggled fuel, and 530 pieces of equipment, including trucks and bulldozers. Authorities also recovered more than 2,100 live animals and 6,350 dead specimens — including birds, reptiles, and mammals — that were being trafficked through illegal wildlife networks. Raids and arrests took place simultaneously across a wide stretch of the Amazon, including Sarare Indigenous Land in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, home to the Nambikwara people, and El Cenepa Province in Peru's Amazonas region, where the Kumpanam Indigenous community resides, authorities said. In Brazil, authorities also deployed teams in Amapa state . In Colombia, operations were carried out in at least 22 departments, including Putumayo, Guaviare, Choco, Antioquia and Vichada. In Ecuador, law enforcement activity spanned dozens of locations from Carchi Province, home to the Awa Indigenous people, to Loja, Zamora, Santo Domingo and other provinces. One of the largest wildlife rescues occurred in Peru, where police recovered 1,400 live animals and dismantled a group known as Los Depredadores del Oriente, accused of trafficking endangered species. In Colombia, authorities said they disrupted three criminal groups and took down a cell allegedly linked to the Clan del Golfo, a powerful organized crime syndicate. Humaid said the operation demonstrated how international cooperation can be used to confront environmental crime and that in previous operations, like in the Congo Basin, it was a heritage issue. ¨In the Amazon, we're seeing the same thing — these crimes directly impact Indigenous communities, their land, their livelihoods, and their identity.¨ The use of satellite-based geolocation tools allowed teams to coordinate across borders and monitor operations in real time, enabling what officials called one of the most synchronized environmental enforcement actions in the region to date. Colombian authorities described the operation as part of a broader national and international strategy. 'We achieved real progress against illegal mining, fuel theft, and wildlife trafficking,' said Col. Jorge Andres Bernal Granada, director of environmental protection at Colombia's National Police. Ecuador's Deputy Police Commander Fausto Iñiguez Sotomayor called the country's first participation in an I2LEC-led operation a 'critical step,' while Gen. Manuel Elías Lozada Morales of Peru said the campaign proved that countries 'can effectively protect one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.' Renato Madsen Arruda, Brazil's federal coordinator for Amazon and environmental protection, said the work disrupted illegal gold mining operations in hard-to-reach areas. Officials said further arrests and seizures are likely as follow-up investigations continue. — Follow Steven Grattan on Instagram: @ — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
Associated Press
10-07-2025
- Associated Press
Over 90 arrests made in global crackdown on environmental crime in the Amazon Basin
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Assets worth over $64 million were seized and 94 people arrested as part of a multinational law enforcement operation targeting environmental crime in the Amazon Basin. The crackdown, coordinated by the United Arab Emirates, has struck a major blow to transnational environmental crime networks, officials said. The campaign, which ran from June 23 to July 6, mobilized more than 1,500 officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Authorities conducted over 350 coordinated raids targeting illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, logging and fuel smuggling across some of the Amazon's most remote and ecologically sensitive regions. Dubbed Operation Green Shield, the crackdown was coordinated by the UAE's Ministry of Interior through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a platform launched in 2023 to support climate-related policing. A central command center was established in Colombia's capital, Bogota, with real-time data sharing, officials said. 'Environmental crime displaces communities, fuels violence against women and children, and erodes cultural heritage. These are not just crimes against nature — they are crimes against people,' Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Coordinator of I2LEC, told The Associated Press in a call. Humaid said countries worked closely to set shared priorities, ensuring the operation aligned with both national objectives and broader international goals. ¨That's what made it different — it wasn't top-down, it was a joint design and execution,' she said. Trafficking endangered species Among the seizures were more than 310 tons of raw minerals, 3,800 cubic meters of timber, 39,000 gallons of smuggled fuel, and 530 pieces of equipment, including trucks and bulldozers. Authorities also recovered more than 2,100 live animals and 6,350 dead specimens — including birds, reptiles, and mammals — that were being trafficked through illegal wildlife networks. Raids and arrests took place simultaneously across a wide stretch of the Amazon, including Sarare Indigenous Land in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, home to the Nambikwara people, and El Cenepa Province in Peru's Amazonas region, where the Kumpanam Indigenous community resides, authorities said. In Brazil, authorities also deployed teams in Amapa state. In Colombia, operations were carried out in at least 22 departments, including Putumayo, Guaviare, Choco, Antioquia and Vichada. In Ecuador, law enforcement activity spanned dozens of locations from Carchi Province, home to the Awa Indigenous people, to Loja, Zamora, Santo Domingo and other provinces. One of the largest wildlife rescues occurred in Peru, where police recovered 1,400 live animals and dismantled a group known as Los Depredadores del Oriente, accused of trafficking endangered species. In Colombia, authorities said they disrupted three criminal groups and took down a cell allegedly linked to the Clan del Golfo, a powerful organized crime syndicate. 'We achieved real progress' Humaid said the operation demonstrated how international cooperation can be used to confront environmental crime and that in previous operations, like in the Congo Basin, it was a heritage issue. ¨In the Amazon, we're seeing the same thing — these crimes directly impact Indigenous communities, their land, their livelihoods, and their identity.¨ The use of satellite-based geolocation tools allowed teams to coordinate across borders and monitor operations in real time, enabling what officials called one of the most synchronized environmental enforcement actions in the region to date. Colombian authorities described the operation as part of a broader national and international strategy. 'We achieved real progress against illegal mining, fuel theft, and wildlife trafficking,' said Col. Jorge Andres Bernal Granada, director of environmental protection at Colombia's National Police. Ecuador's Deputy Police Commander Fausto Iñiguez Sotomayor called the country's first participation in an I2LEC-led operation a 'critical step,' while Gen. Manuel Elías Lozada Morales of Peru said the campaign proved that countries 'can effectively protect one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.' Renato Madsen Arruda, Brazil's federal coordinator for Amazon and environmental protection, said the work disrupted illegal gold mining operations in hard-to-reach areas. Officials said further arrests and seizures are likely as follow-up investigations continue. — Follow Steven Grattan on Instagram: @ — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Over 90 arrests made in global crackdown on environmental crime in the Amazon Basin
Assets worth over $64 million were seized and 94 people arrested as part of a multinational law enforcement operation targeting environmental crime in the Amazon Basin. The crackdown, coordinated by the United Arab Emirates, has struck a major blow to transnational environmental crime networks, officials said. The campaign, which ran from June 23 to July 6, mobilized more than 1,500 officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Authorities conducted over 350 coordinated raids targeting illegal mining, wildlife trafficking, logging and fuel smuggling across some of the Amazon's most remote and ecologically sensitive regions. Dubbed Operation Green Shield, the crackdown was coordinated by the UAE's Ministry of Interior through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a platform launched in 2023 to support climate-related policing. A central command center was established in Colombia's capital, Bogota, with real-time data sharing, officials said. 'Environmental crime displaces communities, fuels violence against women and children, and erodes cultural heritage. These are not just crimes against nature — they are crimes against people,' Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Coordinator of I2LEC, told The Associated Press in a call. Humaid said countries worked closely to set shared priorities, ensuring the operation aligned with both national objectives and broader international goals. ¨That's what made it different — it wasn't top-down, it was a joint design and execution,' she said. Trafficking endangered species Among the seizures were more than 310 tons of raw minerals, 3,800 cubic meters of timber, 39,000 gallons of smuggled fuel, and 530 pieces of equipment, including trucks and bulldozers. Authorities also recovered more than 2,100 live animals and 6,350 dead specimens — including birds, reptiles, and mammals — that were being trafficked through illegal wildlife networks. Raids and arrests took place simultaneously across a wide stretch of the Amazon, including Sarare Indigenous Land in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, home to the Nambikwara people, and El Cenepa Province in Peru's Amazonas region, where the Kumpanam Indigenous community resides, authorities said. In Brazil, authorities also deployed teams in Amapa state. In Colombia, operations were carried out in at least 22 departments, including Putumayo, Guaviare, Choco, Antioquia and Vichada. In Ecuador, law enforcement activity spanned dozens of locations from Carchi Province, home to the Awa Indigenous people, to Loja, Zamora, Santo Domingo and other provinces. One of the largest wildlife rescues occurred in Peru, where police recovered 1,400 live animals and dismantled a group known as Los Depredadores del Oriente, accused of trafficking endangered species. In Colombia, authorities said they disrupted three criminal groups and took down a cell allegedly linked to the Clan del Golfo, a powerful organized crime syndicate. 'We achieved real progress' Humaid said the operation demonstrated how international cooperation can be used to confront environmental crime and that in previous operations, like in the Congo Basin, it was a heritage issue. ¨In the Amazon, we're seeing the same thing — these crimes directly impact Indigenous communities, their land, their livelihoods, and their identity.¨ The use of satellite-based geolocation tools allowed teams to coordinate across borders and monitor operations in real time, enabling what officials called one of the most synchronized environmental enforcement actions in the region to date. Colombian authorities described the operation as part of a broader national and international strategy. 'We achieved real progress against illegal mining, fuel theft, and wildlife trafficking,' said Col. Jorge Andres Bernal Granada, director of environmental protection at Colombia's National Police. Ecuador's Deputy Police Commander Fausto Iñiguez Sotomayor called the country's first participation in an I2LEC-led operation a 'critical step,' while Gen. Manuel Elías Lozada Morales of Peru said the campaign proved that countries 'can effectively protect one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.' Renato Madsen Arruda, Brazil's federal coordinator for Amazon and environmental protection, said the work disrupted illegal gold mining operations in hard-to-reach areas. Officials said further arrests and seizures are likely as follow-up investigations continue. — Follow Steven Grattan on Instagram: @ — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The National
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
UAE-led operation sees 94 people arrested for environmental crimes in Amazon Basin
The UAE has led a major international crackdown on environmental crimes in the Amazon Basin, resulting in 94 arrests and the seizure of more than $64 million worth of assets. The 14-day effort was called Operation Green Shield, a multinational probe co-ordinated by the Emirates with Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said authorities in the Amazon dismantled criminal networks accused of destroying protected ecosystems and shut down 350 criminal operations. The arrests were carried out under the UAE's Law Enforcement for Climate programme, which was launched at Cop28 in Dubai in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Climate leader It comes as part of the Emirates' wider push on climate action. In May, the UAE issued its climate law to establish a legal framework for climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions accountability. And in June, leading figures gathered in the UAE to sound the alarm ahead of the next major round of UN climate talks at Cop30, in Brazil, set to take place in November. Majid Al Suwaidi, chief of climate investment vehicle Alterra, warned that the talks are up against 'significant challenges'. 'To date, only 15 updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have been submitted,' Mr Al Suwaidi said. While the original deadline was February, a revised cut off in September is now the last window to submit updated pledges before Cop30 opens in Belem, Brazil, in November. Both Brazil and the UAE laid out robust NDCs ahead of the initial February deadline. History made At Cop28 in Dubai, held in November and December 2023, the historic UAE Consensus was agreed. The agreement calls for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner … so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science'. President Sheikh Mohamed said the conference provided 'significant results' and vowed to push ahead in search of a 'more sustainable future for our planet'. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also hailed the success of the conference. 'The conference has set new standards in climate action and solidified the UAE's position as a key player in building a sustainable future for the planet,' he said. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President, said it was a 'historic agreement' but was only as good as its 'implementation'. 'We are what we do, not what we say,' he said. 'We must take the steps necessary to turn this agreement into tangible action.'
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Zawya
Operation Green Shield dismantles criminal networks in Amazon, seizes $64mln in assets
ABU DHABI: In a major milestone for international environmental law enforcement, Operation Green Shield, led by the UAE Ministry of Interior through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), succeeded in dismantling major criminal networks operating across the Amazon Basin. The operation resulted in the arrest of 94 individuals and the seizure of illicit assets worth over US$64 million. Over a two-week period, the operation – codenamed 'Green Shield' – carried out more than 350 field operations with the participation of over 1,500 officers in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The campaign was coordinated from a central command centre in Bogotá and overseen strategically by the UAE Ministry of Interior. The operation built on the success of 'Operation Green Justice' in 2024, achieving deeper cooperation and real-time intelligence sharing, which enabled participating countries to secure even stronger results this year. Key outcomes included the seizure of over 310 tonnes of illegally extracted raw minerals, 61 tonnes of calcium oxide, and 3,800 cubic metres of illegally harvested timber, in addition to more than 39,000 gallons of smuggled fuel. The operation also struck a significant blow to wildlife trafficking, with the rescue of over 2,100 live animals and the confiscation of 6,350 deceased specimens (including birds, lizards, and mammals). Authorities also seized 530 units of heavy equipment used in criminal activities, including bulldozers, trucks, and crushers. Among the most notable successes, Peruvian police dismantled the 'Los Depredadores del Oriente' gang involved in wildlife trafficking and rescued 1,400 live animals. Meanwhile, authorities in Colombia dismantled three organised crime groups and a cell linked to the Clan del Golfo, one of the country's most powerful criminal syndicates. Lieutenant Colonel Dana Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Coordinator of the I2LEC Centre, praised the results and reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to leading climate-related law enforcement globally. She stated that Operation Green Shield stands as a landmark achievement in climate-focused international enforcement. She added, 'The scale and speed of the outcomes reflect not only the strength of regional cooperation but also the growing determination of governments to treat environmental crimes as a top security issue. From rescuing thousands of animals to disrupting illicit economies worth tens of millions of dollars, the outcomes of Operation Green Shield send a clear message about the power of coordinated enforcement. I2LEC remains committed to enabling countries to act, share intelligence, and achieve meaningful gains for our environment and future generations.' The operation also demonstrated the critical role of advanced technology, with Esri's ArcGIS Mission tool enabling real-time location tracking and communication between teams in remote areas – strengthening field operations and supporting ongoing investigations and prosecutions. The I2LEC Centre played a pivotal role in the success of the operation by coordinating the entire campaign, harmonising procedures between national forces, collecting and analysing field data, and providing essential technology and equipment to facilitate real-time information sharing and synchronised action. Following the successful campaign, I2LEC and its partners are analysing the collected data to develop long-term strategies to dismantle criminal networks and strengthen environmental governance in the region. Further seizures and arrests are expected as investigations continue in coordination with the operation's participants. Senior officials from partner countries praised the operation. Colonel Jorge Andrés Bernal Granada, Director of the Carabineers and Environmental Protection Directorate of Colombia's National Police, highlighted his country's leadership in environmental law enforcement and said, 'We have made tangible progress in combating illegal mining, fuel theft, and wildlife trafficking. Colombia is proud to be part of this international front to safeguard the integrity of the Amazon's ecosystems.' He added that this effort forms part of a broader strategy that enhances both environmental security and international cooperation against common threats, calling on allied nations, including the UAE, to continue fostering cooperation to protect the Amazon as a natural heritage for humanity. Fausto Patricio Iñiguez Sotomayor, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Ecuador's National Police, stated that Ecuador's first participation in an I2LEC-led initiative marks a pivotal step in combatting environmental crimes. He said, 'Thanks to the UAE's support through I2LEC, we successfully dismantled cross-border criminal groups profiting from environmental destruction.' General Manuel Elias Lozada Morales, Director of the Environment Division of Peru's National Police, expressed pride in participating for the second consecutive year in Operation Green Shield and extended his thanks to the UAE for its steadfast commitment to defending the Amazon rainforest. He affirmed that this international cooperation demonstrates how unity and joint action can effectively protect one of the world's most vital ecosystems and ensure its preservation for future generations. Renato Madsen Arruda, General Coordinator for the Protection of the Amazon, Environment, and Historical and Cultural Heritage at Brazil's Federal Police, said this collaboration reflects Brazil's long-standing commitment to protecting its natural resources. He expressed pride in the country's efforts to disrupt criminal operations, particularly illegal gold mining, in remote areas of the Amazon. Operation Green Shield is the latest in a series of international enforcement campaigns led by I2LEC, a platform launched by the UAE Ministry of Interior in 2023 in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). I2LEC aims to enhance global law enforcement capabilities, promote international cooperation, and support climate objectives by targeting criminal economies that drive environmental degradation. Since its launch, I2LEC has trained over 2,000 officers, facilitated global operations, and served as a catalyst for unifying law enforcement agencies around a shared mission to protect the planet.
