CBI, Thailand Combat Live Animal Trafficking

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has organized a two-day coordination meeting with Thailand to combat live animal trafficking in Asia. The meeting, held on September 2-3, 2026, at the CBI Headquarters in New Delhi, aimed to discuss exotic species trafficking trends, smuggling routes, and concealment methods used by criminal networks.

The CBI co-hosted the meeting with INTERPOL Environmental Security Sub-Directorate (ENS). Participants from India and Thailand attended the meeting, including officers from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The smuggling of exotic live animals and birds for pet trade is a growing trend in Asia. Criminal networks are using air and land routes to traffic live animals from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia to South Asian countries, including India. Singapore is often used as a transit point, while the land route from Thailand via Myanmar is also frequently used.

Manoj Sashidhar, Special Director of the CBI, emphasized that live animal and bird trafficking is a transnational criminal activity involving organized networks and sophisticated methods of concealment and transportation. He stressed the importance of international cooperation in investigating and combating wildlife trafficking.

The meeting highlighted the need for cooperation between countries to tackle the issue. The importance of getting Interpol notices issued against fugitives involved in wildlife trafficking was also emphasized.

In a recent joint operation, the CBI and DRI Mumbai recovered and rescued 52 protected animals and birds, including Slow Loris, Binturong, Star Tortoises, Egyptian Vultures, and Shikra birds, from wildlife traffickers.

The meeting between the CBI and Thailand is a significant step towards combating live animal trafficking in Asia. It highlights the need for cooperation and coordination between countries to tackle this growing issue.

The exotic pet trade is driving the demand for live animals and birds, leading to an increase in smuggling activities. The use of air and land routes makes it challenging to track and intercept these activities.

The CBI and Thailand's joint effort is expected to lead to better cooperation and coordination in investigating and combating wildlife trafficking. The meeting is a positive step towards protecting wildlife and combating transnational criminal activities.

In conclusion, the meeting between the CBI and Thailand is a significant development in the fight against live animal trafficking in Asia. It highlights the need for international cooperation and coordination to tackle this growing issue.

The issue of live animal trafficking is not only a concern for wildlife protection but also a transnational criminal activity that requires cooperation and coordination between countries to combat. The CBI and Thailand's joint effort is a step in the right direction, and it is expected to lead to better outcomes in protecting wildlife and combating criminal activities.