Crime convergence is a global phenomenon with evidence found across many countries, reflecting diverse economic, social, and political landscapes. Its manifestations vary widely depending on the regional context, but there are common threads across regions. In areas with dense forests, for example, illegal logging often overlaps with corruption and the displacement of Indigenous Peoples. Coastal regions may witness illegal fishing tied to forced labor or drug trafficking on poorly monitored vessels. In some areas, wildlife trafficking may intersect with drug smuggling along shared transportation routes, while in others, criminal groups may use cyber tools to facilitate illegal trade and evade law enforcement. Despite these regional differences, commonalities include the exploitation of vulnerable populations, weak legal frameworks, and the use of illicit proceeds to fund further criminal activities.
This complexity underscores the need for a nuanced approach, combining localized strategies with international cooperation to disrupt these intertwined networks effectively. These interconnected crimes not only threaten environmental sustainability but also destabilize economies, compromise public safety, and weaken governance systems worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated international response.
Elevate the severity of nature crimes in national policies and legislation
Unfortunately, despite their devastating impacts, nature crimes are commonly considered to be crimes of lesser importance in many countries’ legislation. Redefining nature crimes to align with other more serious trafficking crimes will allow for tougher sentences and increased enforcement attention and resources. The United States has been a leader on this score through presidentially mandated federal strategies and laws such as the END Wildlife Trafficking Act.
Target criminal organizers, not harvesters
Enforcement agencies should focus their efforts on the higher-level criminals in nature crime supply chains, including ringleaders of criminal organizations, as well as those behind money laundering schemes associated with these crimes. Enforcement efforts should move away from targeting harvesters, or other lower-level workers, which has little impact on the overall criminal operation.
Support socio-economic development
It is important to enhance opportunities for local communities in remote rural areas who have little access to health, education, and economic opportunities, and who are vulnerable to being co-opted by criminal factions who exploit areas where the state is absent.
Tackle corruption and fraud
Both corruption and fraud are enabling crimes that are deeply ingrained into illicit supply chains. Not only do corruption and fraud undermine the government's ability to investigate and prosecute nature crimes, but they also have far-reaching impacts on the economy and on the security of those who depend on nature for their livelihoods. To enhance the integrity of government operations and reduce the negative impact of corruption on law enforcement, it is important to better understand and assess the strength of internal controls in government agencies responsible for enforcing environmental legislation.
Prioritize transnational cooperation
Criminal networks are versatile and agile. In the Amazon, for example, as soon as enforcement is strengthened on one side of the border, criminal activity shifts across to the other. Law enforcement officials, public prosecutors, and environment agencies need to engage with their counterparts in neighboring countries to combat nature crimes and other associated serious crimes more effectively. Bilateral relationships between enforcement authorities of neighboring countries can help in the establishment of leads in the early stages of an investigation. For example, WWF partners with the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in regions spanning Africa, southeast Asia, Central America, and South America to enhance the capacity of law enforcement officials in technology solutions and forensics applications, prosecution of wildlife trafficking cases, and interagency coordination.