UAE Coordinates Global Crackdown on Environmental Crime in the Amazon

• Operation Green Shield led by UAE disrupts criminal networks in the Amazon.
• 94 arrests made in a two-week campaign targeting illegal activities.
• Over $64 million in illegal assets seized during operations.

Impactful Operation Targets Environmental Crime in Amazon

Major Initiative Launched to Combat Environmental Crimes In a significant development for environmental law enforcement, the UAE Ministry of Interior spearheaded “Operation Green Shield” aimed at disrupting criminal operations within the Amazon Basin. This two-week operation, part of the ministry’s broader International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), achieved a remarkable result, leading to 94 arrests and the confiscation of illegal assets exceeding $64 million. The mission was coordinated from a central command center in Bogotá, bringing together more than 1,500 law enforcement officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, all under strategic guidance from the UAE and technical assistance from ESRI.

Operation Achieves Significant Seizures in Environmental Crackdown

Successful Collaboration Across Nations Yields Impressive Results The large-scale operation consisted of over 350 field missions that tackled illegal activities, including mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, and fuel smuggling. The results of this undertaking were staggering. Law enforcement successfully seized over 310 tonnes of raw minerals, captured 61 tonnes of calcium oxide, and confiscated more than 3,800 cubic meters of illegal timber. Additionally, 39,000 gallons of smuggled fuel were intercepted, along with 530 pieces of heavy machinery such as trucks, bulldozers, and crushers. Notably, authorities dismantled a major wildlife trafficking gang in Peru, saving 1,400 live animals in the process, and disrupted three organized crime groups in Colombia, including one linked to the infamous Clan del Golfo.

Future Implications for Environmental Law Enforcement

UAE Officials Praise International Cooperation in Success Lt. Colonel Dana Humaid, Director-General of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior and Coordinator of I2LEC, celebrated this operation as a breakthrough moment for climate-focused law enforcement. He highlighted the importance of international partnership and real-time intelligence sharing, which were central in achieving the operation’s objectives. Looking ahead, with more arrests anticipated, Operation Green Shield signals a significant forward momentum in the global effort to protect the Amazon and tackle environmental crime effectively, marking a daunting challenge for criminal enterprises operating in that region.

In summary, Operation Green Shield represents a critical advancement in global environmental law enforcement, particularly within the Amazon Basin. The collaboration among various countries, along with the direct involvement of the UAE, led to significant arrests and asset seizures. As the operation looks to build on its successes, it highlights the vital role of international cooperation in countering environmental crime and preserving vital ecosystems.