LYON, France, 17 November 2014
An INTERPOL operation targeting fugitives wanted for environmental crimes is calling on the public worldwide to help locate them and bring them to justice.
Operation Infra (International Fugitive Round Up and Arrest) Terra was launched by the world police body on 6 October, focusing on 139 fugitives wanted by 36 member countries for crimes including illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, illegal trade and disposal of waste, illegal logging and trading in illicit ivory. It is the first INTERPOL fugitive operation targeting individuals specifically wanted for crimes concerning the environment.
EcoJust’s Pauline Verheij was interviewed on Dutch radio about the INTERPOL campaign: http://www.eenvandaag.nl/buitenland/55422/interpol_spoort_stropers_en_illegale_houtkappers_op
INTERPOL is now asking for the public’s assistance in providing additional information that could help track down nine Infra Terra suspects whose cases were selected during the initial phase of the operation. Such cases include Feisal Mohamed Ali, alleged to be the ringleader of an ivory smuggling ring in Kenya.
Infra Terra builds on the success of previous similar operations including Infra-Americas, Infra-SEA (Southeast Asia) and the global Infra-Red operations in 2010 and 2012, which have so far led to some 600 arrests and positive locations worldwide.
The nine fugitives are: Adriano Giacobone; Ahmed Kamran; Ariel Bustamante Sanchez; Ben Simasiku; Bhekumusa Mawillis Shiba; Feisal Mohamed Ali; Nicolaas Antonius Cornelis Maria Duindam; Sergey Darminov; Sudiman Sunoto.
“We believe that the capture of these criminals on the run will contribute to the dismantlement of transnational organized crime groups who have turned environmental exploitation into a professional business with lucrative revenues,” said Stefano Carvelli, Head of INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Support unit.
Information on the possible location of the targets of Operation Infra Terra, or any internationally wanted persons, can be sent to INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Support unit. Information can also be given anonymously to any national Crime Stoppers programme.
Through INTERPOL’s Turn Back Crime campaign, the private sector and the public are encouraged to take an active role in supporting police activities such as Infra Terra to form a global alliance against organized crime.
Sources: http://www.interpol.int/News-and-media/News/2014/N2014-220
