Americas: Environmental crime operation leads to 225 arrests, identifies hundreds more suspects

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – An INTERPOL-coordinated operation targeting a range of environmental crimes in the Americas has led to the arrest of 225 individuals, with several more hundred identified for follow-up action.

Operation Madre Tierra VII (1 May to 30 June 2025), led by INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau for Central America with support from the Environmental Security unit, brought together officers from nine countries to identify suspects and cases, share intelligence and target known hotspots.

Preliminary results show that more than 400 environmental crimes were reported, including:

• 203 for forestry and illegal logging
• 138 for wildlife trafficking
• 26 for illegal fishing
• 23 for illegal mining
• 16 for pollution crimes

Authorities also identified 15 transnational cases and multiple trafficking routes to Europe and Asia.

Authorities in Panama rescued capybara puppies that were being smuggled.

Authorities in Colombia seized birds worth an estimated USD 9,300.

An axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), a critically-endangered amphibian, was intercepted by Costa Rica.

Seized timber in Guatemala

A white tiger rescued in Mexico

“Cotorras” or Hispaniolan parrots, an endemic species, rescued by the Dominican Republic

14 tonnes of charcoal were seized in Mexico

Half a tonne of illegally-caught fish was intercepted by Nicaragua

Illegal logging activities disrupted by Honduras.

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Seizures included birds, reptiles, turtles, primates, big cats, along with 2.4 tonnes of shark and ray fins, 875kg of totoaba, and 7kg of dried sea cucumber, highlighting the continued exploitation of protected species for international trade.

Timber such as pine, oak, guanacaste, laurel and cypress were confiscated, along with high-value CITES-listed cedarwood and rosewood. While cedar typically sells for between USD 200 and 900 per cubic metre, rosewood can command significantly higher prices on the international black market, ranging from around USD 800 per cubic metre to as much as USD 6,000 per cubic metre, depending on quality.

Authorities also detected deforestation hotspots exceeding 50,000 hectares, linked to organized crime networks operating across continents.

One major case in Panama exposed large-scale illegal gold mining, involving child labour, human trafficking and mercury contamination. Additional investigations uncovered mercury smuggling and widespread pollution of water sources, posing risks to public health and the environment. Weapons, vehicles, boats, and communication equipment were also seized.

A comprehensive analytical report detailing the outcomes of the operation will be presented to specialized officers in late November to review final results and coordinate case follow-up.

Notes to editors

Operation Madre Tierra VII was carried out under Project GAIA, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

The operation was held in coordination with the Commission of Central American, Mexican, Caribbean and Colombian Police Chiefs and Directors.

Participating countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.