Interpol operation results in seizure of over 94,000m3 of illegal timber

3 January 2023


A joint Interpol - World Customs Organization (WCO) law enforcement operation has seen arrests and the disruption of timber crime networks globally.

Codenamed “Thunder 2022”, the month-long operation brought together police, customs, financial intelligence units, wildlife and forestry enforcement agencies from 125 countries - the largest number of countries to take part in a Thunder operation since the series started in 2017.

More than 94,000m3 of timber was seized in the operation, including 47,280m3 (17,163 pieces) of rosewood. Almost 47,000m3 and 6,764 pieces of other timber was also seized.

In Southern Africa, Namibian authorities intercepted large amounts of timber before they were smuggled into the region, while Indonesia made two large seizures of timber bound for the Middle East and Asia. 

Through routine inspections and targeted controls, dozens of timber transporters were examined throughout Mongolia.

“Thunder operations are important to global security because timber and wildlife trafficking are not just conservation issues – officers lose their lives every year, livelihoods are destroyed, diseases are spread, governments weakened and entire economies destroyed,” said Interpol secretary general Jürgen Stock.