Europol steps up cooperation in fighting wildlife trafficking
Xinhua, February 3, 2017 Adjust font size:
Europol on Thursday said it will strengthen cooperation with TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network in fighting wildlife trafficking.
The two parties signed a memorandum of understanding in 2016 to improve coordination in fighting environmental crime, particularly the illegal trafficking of endangered animal and plant species.
TRAFFIC will support Europol through providing strategic assessments and operational support to EU member states.
Europol director Rob Wainwright said: "Countering environmental crime also supports broader efforts to combat other crimes such as corruption, money laundering, counterfeiting, fraud, forgery, and sometimes even terrorism or drugs trafficking."
According to Europol, the EU is a key transit point for illegal trade in wildlife, notably between Africa and Asia. Endit