Flipbook_ICCWC15_FINAL - Flipbook - Page 21
IMPACT OF THE OPERATION
Among the most significant impacts of Operation Thunder since 2017, has been its ability
to partner with countries and transform global law enforcement responses to illegal
wildlife trade from largely fragmented national efforts into a coordinated, intelligencedriven, transnational enforcement framework. Law enforcement agencies around the
world increasingly recognize the need for such a coordinated cross-border investigative
approach to tackle the complexities of wildlife crime.
As Operation Thunder has matured, a strong link has emerged between
suspect identification and arrests. Early gaps in coordination and legal
differences limited enforcement. Over time, improved international
collaboration, intelligence sharing, and targeted planning, namely through
Regional and Inter-Regional Investigative and Analytical Case Meetings
(RIACMs), have boosted arrest rates and seizures. Specialized wildlife crime
units, joint investigations, and advanced tracking tools now help agencies
act on intelligence more effectively. This has narrowed the gap between
identifying suspects and making arrests. The trend highlights increased
operational efficiency, stronger interagency cooperation, and standardized
procedures, showing that Thunder Operations are not just identifying more
suspects and making more seizures, but focusing on bringing the criminals
involved to justice.
Trends in seizures and arrests
No. of arrests/suspects apprehended
No. of seizures
2500
Total No.
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Year
20
