National Police of Colombia

With support from environmental authorities and international cooperation, the National Police of Colombia with Director William Castaño Ramos, have expertly coordinated to counteract and prosecute environmental crimes. The Comprehensive Strategy for the Protection of Natural Capital–EICAN includes four components: interinstitutional relationships; prevention and citizen participation; deterrence and control; and criminal investigation and intelligence.

One success factor has been the formation of the C4, Colombia’s Cybersecurity Capabilities Center (Centro de Capacidades para la Ciberseguridad de Colombia, which includes investigators dedicated exclusively to criminal prosecution of environmental crimes and an environmental laboratory in which sample studies are carried out and expert opinions issued on species of fauna, flora, and metals. High-impact results during 2023–2024 include the dismantling of 25 criminal structures: 13 mining, 7 wildlife trafficking, and 5 deforestation; the development of 8 transnational operations: 4 mining, 3 wildlife trafficking, and 1 deforestation; and 5,823 arrests for environmental crimes.

Dubai Police, United Arab Emirates

Coordination between Dubai Police and internal and external partners resulted in formal agreements and MOUs to combat environmental and associated crimes, implementing preventive measures at key entry points. This work helped reduce the number of environmental crimes overall. The department took the initiative to educate the public in all segments and in several languages during their work in the field about the importance of wildlife for animals and birds in order to protect them from extinction, predation, or exposure to deadly diseases and exploitation. This focused work contributed to the establishment of a supreme committee at the level of the Emirate of Dubai to combat environmental crimes and protect all components of the environment such as air, water, marine environment, and soil from pollution.

Dubai Police, United Arab Emirates

The Dubai Police Marine Pollution Control Centre (MPCC) is the first police force organization in the Middle East with a fully trained, competent Oil Spill Response Team and Operational Oil Spill Response Equipment. The MPCC uses applied innovation processes and is cost effective and cost-efficient government organization that is certified ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environment) standards compliant. 

Dubai Police MPCC was established to respond to marine crises and disasters and to protect the marine environment by contributing to better environmental crime enforcement. This is accomplished by facilitating information sharing among local communities and other Maritime Authorities, engaging with private actors and local communities in Dubai, to maintain cooperation and support with other entities. This coordination and collaboration between enforcement partners strengthens the environmental rule of law at all levels. 

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Environmental Investigation Section 

The Michigan Department of National Resources (DNR) LED's Environmental Investigation Section (EIS) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) both display leadership that exemplifies courage and integrity. The Michigan EIS initially investigated a case where activity revealed evidence of the illegal handling and discharge of potentially hazardous substances into the Flint River, via a treatment center that was not aware or capable of treating the material. At the conclusion of the investigation, the local and state prosecutors declined to prosecute. However, the EPA"s CID was able to conduct follow-up investigations and obtain evidence and information that fulfilled the requirements for federal charges. This case demonstrates the tenacity of these investigative agencies to seek prosecution. 

Joseph Poux
Deputy Chief
Environmental Crimes Section, U.S. Department of Justice

Deputy Chief Joseph Poux from the United States Department of Justice Environmental Crime Section, contributed greatly to the prosecution of white-collar crime cases against individuals and corporations that have violated laws designed to prevent pollution of the environment and destruction of critical natural resources. In 2015, Deputy Chief Poux also served as the Chairman of INTERPOL’s Pollution Crime Working Group (PCWG). In his capacity as chairman, Deputy Chief Poux managed a series of international workgroup projects that have addressed critical needs in the areas of e-waste trafficking, marine pollution, and the transnational movement of hazardous waste. With significant communication and coordination, Deputy Chief Poux led various global initiatives to reduce and address environmental crimes.

Local Agency

Sarasota, Florida, Police Department

Every year in Sarasota, the city co-sponsors a powerboat regatta through the waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival takes place during the Independence Day holiday and Lido Key is the primary viewing area for this event, which is also the peak nesting weekend for the five species of marine turtles that nest on Florida beaches. All five species of marine turtles are threatened or endangered species, and the increased maritime and beach spectator traffic from the festival has been shown to significantly impact the turtles, leading to a complete abandonment of nesting activity during the festival period. Additionally, the Black Skimmer, a threatened bird, also nests on Lido Key during that time. Through partnerships with Mote Marine, Audubon of Florida, and Save Our Seabirds, the SPD launched a “Share the Beach” initiative to provide beach and maritime security and over-watch operations to ensure that festival activity was not interfering with the nesting activity on Lido Key. The collaboration has resulted in the complete restoration of full marine turtle nesting activity during the event and a Black Skimmer nesting colony that is one of the largest in the state of Florida. 

Federal Agency

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Operation Broken Glass was a criminal investigation led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, which focused on the most prolific dealers and fishermen of American juvenile eels known as “elvers.” It was initiated in response to wide-scale poaching on the eastern seaboard and the subsequent unlawful elver export from the United States to East Asia. Sixteen state and federal partners worked together on the investigation. The undercover operations for this investigation are complete and it is currently in the prosecution phase. All of the defendants in the case were charged with violations of the Lacey Act and were responsible for over $7 million in illegal elver sales. To date, 22 defendants have plead guilty to Lacey Act violations resulting in total incarceration and probation of over 50 years and total restitution and fines of over $300,000.

Calaveras County, California, Sheriff’s Office

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, located in northern California, created a task force to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes committed by marijuana cultivators. The multi-agency task force initiated “Operation Terminus” to investigate violations related to the pollution of California’s watershed and river systems. The operation led to the identification of numerous violations and included the eradication of 28,650 marijuana plants, seizure of cash and firearms, and 35 arrests. The combination of traditional law enforcement, forestry, wildlife, and water quality disciplines working together to identify and locate major environmental crimes was unprecedented in central California. “Operation Terminus” demonstrates exemplary leadership in ensuring the protection of public health and the environment, providing a powerful message of deterrence.