Pangolin traffickers arrested in INTERPOL operation across Asia. August 2012

Countries across Southeast Asia have taken part in the largest coordinated operation against the illegal poaching 29 August 2012
and trade in pangolins. Operation Libra, coordinated by INTERPOL’s Environmental Crime Program, took place in June and July and involved investigations and enforcement actions across Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Supported by the ARREST Program, the operation led to the arrest of more than 40 individuals, with some 200 additional cases currently under investigation across the region. During Operation Libra, which also saw the assistance of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network, enforcement agencies conducted raids on restaurants and other premises across the region. Approximately 1,220 pangolins were recovered, almost half of which were still alive. In addition to pangolins, birds, snakes and eight tiger cubs were also seized.