INTERPOL’s Operation Mogatle targets illegal ivory and rhino horn across southern Africa

Some of the ivory siezed during INTERPOL's Operation Mogatle Click photo to enlarge © INTERPOL   20 May 2010—A transnational operation co-ordinated by INTERPOL targeting wildlife crime across southern Africa has resulted in the location and closure of an illegal ivory factory, the seizure of nearly 400 kg of ivory and rhino horn and the arrest of 41 people.

The two-day Operation Mogatle, carried out over 13-14 May, involved nearly 200 officers from police, national wildlife, customs and national intelligence agencies from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Checks were also made on suspect vehicles at border crossing points and, for the first time during a wildlife crime operation, sniffer dogs provided by South African and Swaziland police were used at check points at the Mozambique/Swaziland border.

“The success of Operation Mogatle is not only in relation to the seizures and arrests which have been made, but is a demonstration of the commitment of national and international law enforcement and other involved agencies to working together to combat wildlife crime,” said Peter Younger, manager of INTERPOL’s OASIS (Operational Assistance, Services and Infrastructure Support) Africa wildlife crime programme.

“Taking these illegal items off the market is just the first step,” added Mr Younger. “Information gathered as part of this operation will also enable law enforcement, both in Africa and abroad, to identify smuggling routes and eventually to further arrests of other individuals involved in these crimes.

Supported by INTERPOL’s National Central Bureaus and INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau in Harare, Operation Mogatle was co-ordinated by INTERPOL’s OASIS Africa initiative, which is funded by the German Federal Government. Additional support and funding was also provided for the operation by the Humane Society of Canada and the Born Free Foundation.

(Source: INTERPOL media release, 18 May 2010)