376 arrested across Africa in wildlife crimes operation

World Today

Interpol/ Operation Worthy II

An operation targeting illegal elephant ivory and rhino horn trading saw the arrests of 376 people across multiple African countries.

The operation was carried out by the international police agency Interpol and announced on Tuesday. Interpol calls it The Worthy II operation, and it involves 11 African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

4.5 tons of illegal contraband related to illicit animal product smuggling actives across the African countries involved, was confiscated.

A press release from Interpol on the operation said:

In addition to the ivory and rhino horn, thousands of other wildlife products were also seized, including 2,029 pangolin scales, 173 live tortoises, 55 kg of sea cucumber, warthog teeth, big cat, pangolin and python skins and impala carcasses, as well as 532 rounds of ammunition, five firearms and two home-made rifles.

The full Interpol release:

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