Awarding a Certificate of Commendation to China's National Inter-Agency CITES Law Enforcement Collaboration Group (NICECG), CITES Secretary-General John Scanlon said the Government's work in wildlife law enforcement echoes the coordinated approach promoted through the International Consortium on Combatting Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).
9 May 2012: John Scanlon, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), awarded a Certificate of Commendation to the National Inter-Agency CITES Enforcement Collaboration Group (NICECG) of China, coordinated by the CITES Management Authority of China. The award comes in recognition of two nationwide wildlife law enforcement operations carried out earlier this year.
Under the leadership of the China State Forestry Administration, the Forest Police Operation uncovered more than 700 cases of illegal wildlife trade; shut down 7,155 illegal wildlife stalls and shops as well as 628 illegal online wildlife shops; closely monitored 520 websites believed to offer illegal wildlife for sale; took action against 1,031 wildlife dealers involved in illegal activities; dismantled 13 wildlife-related criminal networks; and confiscated approximately 130,000 wild animals, 2,000 wildlife products and 147 wild animal skins.
Led by the General Administration of Customs, the Customs Authorities Operation arrested 13 suspects and seized large quantities of ivory, red sandalwood and yew timber, and 876 horns of Saiga antelope. Both operations were carried out under the auspices of NICECG.
Presenting the Certificate, Scanlon said the Government’s work echoes the coordinated enforcement approach promoted through the International Consortium on Combatting Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). [CITES News] [UNEP News]