Between September 15 and October 15, record seizures of flora and fauna were made within the framework of the CITES Convention on the Conservation of Species, Interpol announced.
This includes 5.8 tons of "bushmeat", including 400 kilos of giraffe meat found in Kenya. In neighboring Tanzania, tusks and other ivory worth the equivalent of just over 3.8 million kronor were seized - and hippopotamus teeth worth several hundred thousand kronor.
In Brazil, over 200 wild animals were rescued and 145 suspects identified. The smuggling network is said to be specifically trafficking common lion tamarins, an endangered monkey known for its golden, lion-like mane.
In Mexico, two tigers were seized, among other things.
The operation, carried out in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), was the ninth of its kind. According to Interpol, the smuggling is driven by high demand for exotic pets.
