Consultation on Inter-Agency Coordination to Prevent, Combat and Suppress Transnational Wildlife Crime

By: Lao PDR CITES Management Authority.

On 19 August 2026, the National Task Force for the Prevention, Suppression and Combating of Transnational Wildlife Crime convened an inter-agency consultation to strengthen the practical implementation of Decision No. 11/PM, dated 24 February 2026, and enhance national coordination in addressing transnational wildlife crime.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Director General of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Inspection and the Director General of the Department of Forestry, with participation from relevant law-enforcement, investigative and technical authorities, including Customs, Environmental Police, Immigration Police, the International Police Department/INTERPOL NCB Vientiane, the Anti-Money Laundering Intelligence Office, the CITES Scientific Authority, the Prime Minister’s Office, and INTERPOL’s Environmental Security Sub-Directorate.

Participants reviewed institutional mandates and practical arrangements for intelligence and information sharing, investigation, evidence management, financial investigation, case referral and international law-enforcement cooperation.

As a practical case study, the meeting reviewed the seizure of rhinoceros horns at Wattay International Airport. Participating agencies jointly assessed available evidence and outstanding information relating to the suspects, travel and flight records, Passenger Name Record (PNR) data, financial transactions, digital evidence, microchip information, forensic examination and DNA analysis. The review identified information gaps, responsible agencies, focal points and priority follow-up actions to advance the investigation.

INTERPOLs Environmental Security Sub-Directorate shared international experience in investigating transnational wildlife crime and highlighted the role of INTERPOL NCB Vientiane as a key channel for exchanging criminal intelligence and coordinating requests with other countries. Participants also discussed the potential use of INTERPOL Purple Notices and other INTERPOL mechanisms where relevant criminal methods, concealment techniques, trafficking routes or cross-border connections are identified.

The meeting emphasized that wildlife crime investigations should go beyond seizures. Investigations should, where supported by evidence, seek to identify the origin of specimens, suppliers, intermediaries, couriers, destination recipients, financial flows and wider criminal networks. Financial investigation, forensic analysis, DNA testing, microchip tracing and international intelligence exchange were identified as important tools for developing cases from individual seizures towards the identification, disruption and dismantling of transnational wildlife trafficking networks.

Participants agreed to apply this coordinated, intelligence-led approach to other significant wildlife crime cases and to translate the consultation into concrete follow-up actions, with clearly identified responsibilities, focal points and timelines.

The consultation demonstrates the strong commitment of the Government of the Lao PDR to strengthening the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and to combating illegal international wildlife trade. Through Decision No. 11/PM and strengthened cooperation among national authorities and international law-enforcement partners, Lao PDR is reinforcing its efforts to ensure that wildlife offences are effectively detected, investigated and pursued in accordance with national legislation and the country’s obligations under CITES.

The Government of the Lao PDR remains committed to effective CITES implementation, stronger wildlife law enforcement, enhanced international cooperation, and concrete action against the organized criminal networks driving transnational wildlife trafficking.