A UAE officer inspects an elephant tusk during the Jungle Shield operation in Congo. SUPPLIED

In a significant crackdown on environmental crimes, the UAE led an international operation named "Jungle Shield," resulting in the arrest of 58 suspects and the seizure of 32 kilograms of illegal gold in the Congo Basin. Over 14 days, the operation targeted illegal mining and wildlife trafficking, culminating in the confiscation of items worth over $11 million, including animal skin, fur, and elephant tusks. Many of the illegal activities uncovered were found to be destined for Asian markets. The UAE collaborated with Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other nations, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), and the Lusaka Convention Task Force. This effort aligns with the UAE's ongoing commitment to the International Law Enforcement for Climate Initiative, demonstrating a collective push against environmental exploitation and wildlife crime. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page