Operation Green Shield dismantles criminal networks in Amazon, seizes $64mln in assets
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Emiratis injured in fatal multi-car collision in Oman air lifted to Fujairah
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs carried out an air ambulance mission for injured Emiratis following a serious traffic accident in Oman, which resulted in severe injuries and fatalities. The mission was carried out in coordination with the National Search and Rescue Centre of the National Guard, the Air Force and Air Defence Command, and the UAE Embassy in Muscat.
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: India's HDFC Bank officials summoned after alleged sale of risky bonds to some clients
Less than two weeks after Khaleej Times uncovered how India's HDFC Bank allegedly sold high-risk Credit Suisse bonds to ineligible overseas investors, including some in the UAE, Indian authorities have summoned the bank's top executives, including its managing director, for questioning. A notice dated July 11, seen by Khaleej Times, shows that the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Nagpur Police in Maharashtra has filed a complaint against four senior officials of the bank. The complaint was lodged by an investor who was prominently featured in Khaleej Times' June 27 report. The individuals named in the notice have been ordered to appear before the Economic Offences Branch in Nagpur at 11am on Saturday, July 12, for further inquiry. The complaint comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of HDFC Bank in the UAE, where reports from multiple investors who claim they were misled into buying risky Additional Tier-1 (AT1) bonds through the bank's Dubai-based relationship managers have been filed with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The DFSA, when contacted, declined to confirm or deny any investigation, citing confidentiality provisions under Article 38 of the Regulatory Law. 'The EOW notice shows that the matter is being taken seriously,' said a Dubai-based investor who has also filed a police complaint against the bank in India. 'We're seeing action in more than one country now.' The bonds were wiped out when Credit Suisse collapsed in March 2023. Under DFSA rules, they can only be sold to 'professional clients' — those with a net worth above $1 million or proven experience in complex financial products. However, documents and testimonies reviewed by Khaleej Times suggest that some investors were classified as professional clients, often through inflated or manipulated Know Your Customer (KYC) forms. When approached earlier, HDFC Bank denied any wrongdoing, stating it has 'robust processes' to communicate product features and risks, and that it takes a serious view of any malpractice. The bank also dismissed as 'speculative' reports that its chairman had met DIFC regulators following a show-cause notice.
Khaleej Times
15 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE summer: Fujairah Police warn parents against leaving kids unattended in vehicles
Fujairah Police launched a new traffic awareness campaign urging parents and guardians never to leave children alone inside vehicles — a move prompted by growing concerns over child safety during the summer months. The initiative, titled Your Children Are Your Responsibility – Don't Leave Them in the Vehicle Unattended, is part of the Ministry of Interior's third-quarter national safety drive, Summer Without Accidents. It addresses the serious risks children face when left unattended in parked cars, including suffocation and heatstroke due to rapidly rising interior temperatures — especially in the UAE's extreme summer heat. The goal is to promote a sense of community responsibility in preventing such accidents and to help achieve the highest levels of safety and protection for all, especially children, according to the authority. Colonel Saleh Mohammed Abdullah Al Dhanhani, Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department at Fujairah Police, stressed that the campaign's core message is to raise awareness among parents and drivers about the importance of never leaving children alone in vehicles under any circumstances. He also stressed the importance of following safety guidelines and complying with traffic laws, noting that the responsibility for protecting children is a shared one — starting with families and extending to all segments of society. Al-Dhanhani added that the department is committed to using a variety of awareness tools, most notably field messages and electronic flyers, in addition to collaborating with media outlets to disseminate warning messages. Dubai also highlighted the grave danger of leaving children unattended inside vehicles, warning that this behaviour can result in suffocation and death within minutes. In the UAE, under Article 35 of the Wadeema Law, leaving children unattended in vehicles is a punishable offence. Depending on the severity and circumstances, offenders may face a fine of up to Dh5,000 and/or imprisonment. In cases involving endangerment to life and safety, penalties can rise to Dh10,000 and/or jail time, based on the judge's discretion.
