The UK national office of WWF announced on 25 November, that it has given the Wildlife Crime Operation of the Year Award to the UK Border Force and the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) for their joint efforts to tackle organized wildlife crime.
The award was given for an operation in February 2014, when twelve critically endangered iguanas were seized from smugglers by Border Force officers at London’s Heathrow Airport. The iguanas were later returned to their native Bahamas and released into the wild in July 2014 (see “Smuggled iguanas returned to Bahamas”).
“This operation is an excellent demonstration of how much can be achieved when parties work together and collaborate. Not only have they been able to ensure that the criminals responsible for smuggling these animals are put behind bars, they have also contributed to the safeguarding of this endangered species,” said Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya.
Following an investigation by the NCA, the two smugglers were each sentenced to 12 months in prison. The investigation continues and the NCA is actively seeking other members of the crime group involved.