Operation Thunder
Operation Thunder is a yearly global action against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks organised by INTERPOL and the World Custums Organisation (WCO). ENFORCE participated in the 2024 edition, providing the Belgian Federal Government Service for the Environment with the necessary timber identification checks to verify compliance with European laws.
This incentive again lead to numerous discoveries of illegal trafficking in a wide variety of animals, plants and derived products. Amongst this, thourough checks were performed at the Antwerp harbor on the import of wooden furniture. The Federal Government Service for the Environment reports that six out of the nine checked importers did not fullfill legal requirements. Global results include the seizing of timber products totalling 49572 pieces, 214,9 ton and 1340 m³. Find out more about Operation Thunder here and on the results of the Belgian participation here.