PARAGUAY'S 'OPACTION PANTHERA ONCA' HITS HARD, CLINCHES CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL WILDFIRE AND TRADE

BUENOS AIRES, January 6, 2025 (ENS) - In a major blow to crime syndicates operating in South America's lush regions, Paraguay authorities have arrested 26 suspects and dismantled two criminal networks suspected of masterminding illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking.

Led by Interpol, Operation Panthera Onca – a tri-national operation targeting Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay borders – was carried out from October 14-19, 2024. This extensive initiative has left crime agencies scrambling to curb the illicit networks exploiting South American resources for financial gain.

“Environmental crimes pose a major threat to our lives and ecosystems," stated Kat Henn, Interpol's Assistant Director of Environmental Security. "We must build multi-agency capacity to tackle these devastating activities that exploit South America's rich biodiversity."

Under Operation Panthera Onca, over 28 distinct law offenses were uncovered, including document fraud, money laundering, corruption, as well as timber smuggling and transportation routes.

The arrested parties have been linked to the illicit trade of quebracho wood – a highly prized hardwood sought after for its ecological worth. In order to combat deforestation, forest surveillance across land borders was targeted along with waterways monitoring. Forest monitoring using aerial reconnaissance techniques via helicopter plus satellite imaging also played significant roles in Operation Panthera Onca. Total seizures comprised 1,000 logs - valued at substantial financial amounts – as well as 250 pieces of quebracho wood.

Forestry organizations around the globe are bolstering their regional support networks to combat wildlife crime with the development and operation of joint operations like Operation Panthera Onca, which demonstrate intergovernmental cooperation's pivotal role in global conservation efforts.

This initiative is underpinned by project LEAP – funded by Norway’s International Climate and Forests Initiative worth €6.3 million. Since 2018, LEAP has enhanced law enforcement agencies around the world in tackling environmental crimes such as illegal timber harvesting and trading routes.

A key component of Operation Panthera Onca was an extensive educational program where staff officers trained on detecting forestry-related crimes using satellite imagery for monitoring wildlife.