Nine on Interpol wanted list for environmental crimes

DAR ES SALAAM - The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on Sunday appealed to the public to help offer information that will lead to the arrest of nine most wanted suspects.

The suspects were accused of carrying out environmental crimes, including wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, illegal logging and illegal trading of ivory.

"Interpol has launched a fierce crackdown on the nine criminals across the globe," said Ioannis Kokkinis, Interpol criminal intelligence officer, in a statement.

Kokkinis said Interpol would like to speak to anybody who could help to trace the whereabouts of the man who loaded live giraffes in Tanzania to Qatar in 2010.

He said Interpol was asking for the public support to arrest Ahmed Kamran who was accused of paying for the transportation of more than 100 live animals, including giraffes and impalas by a military plane from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Tanzania to Qatar.

"Even the smallest detail, which you might think is insignificant, has the potential to break a case wide open when combined with other evidence the police already have," said Kokkinis.

In November 2010, at least 136 live animals were loaded in the Qatar military jet at KIA. The mission was made successful by the prime suspect Kamar and other KIA officials.

Police investigation report indicated that the deal involved six masterminds, comprising unscrupulous Tanzanian government officials, international traders, airport security personnel and airport ground handlers.

So far at least four people have been charged in court with illegal exportation of the live animals. Kamran was charged and later disappeared after he was bailed out.

A joint report released by the Interpol and the UN environmental program recently showed that global illegal wildlife trade and environmental crimes valued at between 70 billion US dollars and 213 billion US dollars annually.