Latest news with #illegalTrade
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Airport authorities make horrifying discovery after noticing movement in traveler's luggage: 'Inflicts untold harm'
An Indian man was arrested after allegedly trying to smuggle monkeys and tortoises into India after a trip to Thailand. The incident occurred at the international airport in Chennai, India. The Week reports that customs officials became suspicious of a passenger's luggage after a flight landed from Bangkok. Officials examined the man's checked luggage, and inside one bag, they found two ventilated bags and a taped-up cloth bag. "On closer inspection, movements were noticed inside the ventilated bags," customs officials said in a release. At that point, officials found two African black monkeys, each hidden inside a separate ventilated bag, and seven African tortoises wrapped inside the cloth bag. The passenger, a 40-year-old man from Chennai, had just returned from a trip to Thailand, DT Next reports. He could not provide proper documentation for the animals, so he was arrested under India's Customs Act and Wildlife Protection Act. The animals were sent back to Thailand. The United Nations' latest World Wildlife Crime Report found that, from 2015 to 2021, illegal trading affected roughly 4,000 plant and animal species and occurred in more than 160 countries and territories. Recently, Malaysian law enforcement discovered nearly 2,000 pounds of body parts from endangered green sea turtles during the routine patrol of a boat off the Sabah coast. In Indonesia, officials stopped an operation that attempted to smuggle hundreds of songbirds from Bali to Central Java. In that example, 32 of the birds had sadly passed away by the time they were found. That's an unfortunate reality of many animal-smuggling operations, as the animals are typically placed in cramped spaces, without access to the food, water, and light they desperately need. Do you think we should be trying to pull pollution out of the atmosphere? Absolutely I need to know more In some situations No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Even if animals survive their journey, they can cause major damage to their new ecosystems. Anytime a foreign animal is introduced to a new locale, it could become an invasive species — one which spreads quickly in its new surroundings and steals valuable resources from native plants and wildlife. Just like many countries, India has strong laws against trafficking wildlife. But, as the U.N. notes, much illegal smuggling is connected with some of the world's largest organized crime groups. To truly improve conditions for wildlife and to slow this abhorrent practice, the U.N. says that more consistent and comprehensive data is needed on wildlife crime. This will require significant investment, not just at the country level, but also globally. "Wildlife crime inflicts untold harm upon nature, and it also jeopardizes livelihoods, public health, good governance and our planet's ability to fight climate change," Ghada Waly, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime, said in a release. "To address this crime, we must match the adaptability and agility of the illegal wildlife trade." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Up to Dh2 million fines: UAE proposes new law to regulate trade in endangered species
A draft federal law has been proposed to clamp down on the illegal international trade in endangered animals and plants, with violators facing prison terms of up to four years and fines of up to Dh2 million. The proposed bill passed by the FNC on Wednesday titled 'Regulation and Monitoring of International Trade in Endangered Species of Animals and Plants' aims to align UAE's laws with international conventions such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). It would apply across the entire country, including free zones, and cover all border points - land, sea and air. Under the new legislation, it will be illegal to import, export, re-export, transit or introduce from the sea any specimen listed in the law's annexes unless proper permits are secured from the national administrative authority. Certificates mandatory for import and export The law sets out clear procedures and documentation requirements: Export or re-export of any specimen would require a valid certificate issued by the UAE authority. Import of species listed in Annex I would require an import certificate; those in Annex II and III would need valid export or re-export permits from the country of origin. Transit shipments also require export documentation, and all certificates must match on both the import and export sides in terms of species data, origin and purpose. Introductions from the sea would also require a separate certificate. Any mismatch in documentation or non-compliance will result in rejection and repatriation of the shipment, with the sender bearing full cost. Invalid or misleading documentation may lead to cancellation of the certificate and legal action. Tough penalties for illegal traders The proposed law carries a strict penalty structure based on the severity of the violation: A minimum of four years in jail and fines from Dh200,000 to Dh2 million for importing or exporting Annex I specimens without valid permits. Repeat offenders face doubled penalties and deportation in the case of foreign nationals. A minimum of two years' imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for violations involving Annex II and III species. Possessing, selling, or advertising any specimen from the annexed lists without prior registration could lead to at least one year in jail and fines of up to Dh800,000. Presenting false documents or misleading information to obtain permits could result in six months to two years' imprisonment and fines of up to Dh200,000. All offences would also carry mandatory confiscation of the specimens, which would be handed over to the relevant authority for proper disposal or rehabilitation. Provisions for zoos and travelling exhibitions The law includes specific mechanisms for managing animal and plant specimens that are part of mobile zoos, circuses or exhibitions, requiring special certifications for cross-border movement. The legislation stresses that the new provisions do not override any harsher penalties prescribed by other UAE laws, particularly in cases involving fraud or organised smuggling.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- CBS News
Undercover investigation exposes illegal ivory sales in Pennsylvania
A major investigation is exposing the illegal sale of ivory in Pennsylvania, including in the Pittsburgh area, according to the Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States. The agency was in Harrisburg with lawmakers on Monday and said its findings show that it's time to end wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania. Illicit ivory sales in Pennsylvania Images captured during a Humane World for Animals' undercover investigation show some of the 383 pieces of ivory for sale across Pennsylvania. "The items showed signs of originating from elephants, whales, warthog, hippos, walruses and mammoths, or were ivory of underdetermined origin," said Whitney Teamus, senior director of investigations for Humane World for Animals. The investigators also found a giraffe's taxidermied head, neck and shoulders on sale for $6,000. Of the 63 stores and online retailers investigated, Humane World for Animals said 37 had ivory or other wildlife products for sale, including four stores in Allegheny County and two in Butler County. Teamus said in total, they found jewelry, figurines, letter openers and other trinkets worth $38,000. "Not one of the sellers had or could provide any information or documentation to verify the age or origin of the ivory items. Without such documentation, it is impossible to know whether those items were imported in violation of federal law. Some items identified as ivory were labeled as bone. This is often a misleading sales tactic we and others have witnessed in other investigations to obscure the trade of these items," Teamus said. Investigators said their findings show the ivory trade is thriving in Pennsylvania, adding that something needs to be done to stop it. "Iconic species across the planet continue to face the threat of extinction due to demand for their body parts," said Gabe Wigtil, program director of wildlife trafficking for Humane World for Animals. "If there are no markets left for such products, there is no incentive for poachers to continue to kill animals for their skin, teeth, tusks, bones, or anything else," Wigtil added. Pennsylvania lawmakers move to protect animals Several state representatives are hoping House Bill 994, which prohibits wildlife trafficking in Pennsylvania, will become law. It would ban the sale and purchase of parts from at-risk animals, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and many more. "House Bill 994 would combat wildlife poaching and trafficking by ensuring that Pennsylvania residents are not supporting the illegal wildlife trade," said state Rep. Leanne Krueger, primary sponsor of HB 994. "We have the opportunity now to make change, hearing the groundbreaking results of your investigation and thinking of all the animals we can save," said state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Animal Protection Caucus. "This greatly deserves our attention before it's too late for these animals and they disappear in our lifetime," said state Rep. Tim Briggs, chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill passed a House committee on Monday, and the state representatives expect it to be on the House floor soon. The bill includes a long list of at-risk animals and civil penalties on those who sell and buy ivory and other animal products. Rep. Krueger's memo to other lawmakers reads in part, "Specifically, my legislation will prohibit the purchase, sale, offer for sale, or possession with the intent to sell covered at-risk animal parts or products with certain exceptions. My legislation will levy civil penalties for the following: A first violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to fine not to exceed $5,000. A first violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000. A second or subsequent violation with a value under $250 for a covered animal part or product will subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000. A second or subsequent violation with a value over $250 for a covered animal part or product will be subject to a fine not exceeding $20,000."
ABC News
30-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Sunshine Coast turtle and snake smuggler convicted but avoids jail
A Queensland man involved in an illegal wildlife smuggling ring has been convicted in a Sunshine Coast court. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said Sunshine Coast man Jesse Sayeg, 33, first came to the attention of authorities after Victorian Australian Border Force officers intercepted a package from the Philippines in March 2023. The package had been declared as toys but officers had noticed a smell coming off it. An X-ray revealed a variety of reptiles and spiders, and once it was opened it was confirmed to contain three snakes, six iguanas, three soft shell turtles and three tarantulas. DAFF's first assistant secretary of compliance and enforcement Anna Brezzo said the animals had been concealed in drawstring calico bags. Many of them were dead. The package was also later found to have been addressed to a fake name. The discovery triggered a two-year investigation, Operation Cascade, which involved federal and state agencies. Ms Brezzo said it spanned three jurisdictions — Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Search warrants uncovered an additional two hog nose snakes, 45 tarantulas, three eco-skeleton spiders, two scorpions, an African hedgehog and an alligator snapping turtle. Investigations are ongoing, and Ms Brezzo was unable to provide details around how many people authorities suspect to be involved. "There are a number, and certainly this individual [Sayeg] was a primary player," she said. The Caloundra Magistrates Court on Tuesday sentenced Sayeg to nine months in prison. He was convicted on two charges relating to importing conditionally non-prohibited goods. Sayeg was also charged with producing documents known to be false or Australia's biosecurity laws can carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $1,650,000 for an individual or $8,250,000 for a company. "We were really pleased that the court determined that a term of imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty given the seriousness of the offending," Ms Brazzo said. The court released Sayeg on a recognisance release order, which means he will not serve time behind bars. Ms Brezso said authorities were concerned by their findings so far. "The illegal wildlife trade is now the fourth-largest illicit transnational activity in the world after arms, drugs and human trafficking," she said. "It's often exploited by organised crime for financial gain, resulting in flow on effects across crime. She said all breaches of biosecurity laws were taken seriously.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- BBC News
Spalding taxidermy seller fined for trading in endangered species
A shop owner has been convicted of selling stuffed endangered animals and illegal ivory Grimshaw, 71, pleaded guilty to 12 offences at Boston Magistrates' Court on a tip-off, Lincolnshire Police searched Pendragon Antiques in Red Lion Street, Spalding, in May 2024. Officers found taxidermy creatures, including kestrels and a pine of Spalding Road, Pinchbeck, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, fined £500, and must pay costs and a £239 surcharge. He was charged under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulation 2018 and the Ivory Act found for sale a taxidermy pine marten, a barn owl, a kestrel on a branch, a kestrel in a case, a sawfish, an ivory picture frame, an ivory sphinx/lion figure and an ivory and silver presentation August, police searched both the shop and Grimshaw's home and found a tiger tooth, which they had seen on video footage in a glass display research revealed three sawfish items on sale online between June 2019 and January interviewed in March, he said he did not know the items could not be sold. Det Con Aaron Flint, the force's wildlife crime officer, said unregulated trade in "endangered species in the UK has a devastating impact on wildlife populations around the world".He added: "Iconic species continue to be illegally killed every day, making it vital that those fuelling this appalling trade are held accountable."I hope this message underscores the gravity of these crimes and serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering involvement in such unlawful activity."Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
