UNODC Brazil Training Strengthens Efforts Against Illegal Timber Trafficking at Northern Region Ports

Participantes realizam treinamento para enfrentamento do tráfico ilegal de madeira

Brasília, 1 November 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Brazil, through its Forest Crimes and Illegal Timber Markets Programme (LEAP), conducted two weeks of mentorship, theoretical and practical training to enhance the operational practices of teams from key institutions combating environmental crimes in the cities of Manaus, Amazonas, Barcarena and Belém, Pará, with a particular focus on illegal timber trafficking. 

The initiative took place from October 7 to 18 and included technical visits to the Super Terminais port in Manaus (AM) and the Vila do Conde port in Barcarena (PA). The courses were attended by 62 participants, including representatives from the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil (RFB), the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the Federal Highway Police (PRF), and the Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (CENSIPAM), from the states of Amazonas and Pará. 

Representantes da Receita Federal e Ibama observam instrutor durante treinamento de identificação de madeira em porto

During the training, participants developed knowledge on various topics related to the illicit timber trade, such as identifying risk indicators, preparing and inspecting cargo, and addressing the imminent inclusion of new species, like ipê and cumaru, recently listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Additionally, special attention was given to the safety of personnel working directly at ports, particularly when handling fumigated cargo. 

“We understand that technical knowledge combined with joint efforts between institutions is crucial for effectively combating environmental crimes. We are always available to collaborate with UNODC on enriching initiatives like this,” said one of the Federal Revenue auditors who participated in the activities. 

Agente do Ibama utiliza técnica ensinada para identificação de madeira

The dynamics planned during the training and practical mentorship at the ports fostered more effective collaboration and enhanced data and information sharing among the institutions involved. At the end of each week, participants had the opportunity to evaluate the activities carried out and contribute to shaping the next steps of the LEAP Programme, identifying future training needs and opportunities for experience exchange. 

LEAP – The programme supports countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia in identifying illicit activities along the timber supply chain and preventing, detecting, and dismantling global criminal networks involved in forest crimes. LEAP focuses on transnational operations and investigations, theoretical and practical training, inter-agency cooperation, and technical expertise in law enforcement. In Latin America, the program primarily operates in six ports in Brazil (Belém-PA, Itajaí-SC, Manaus-AM, Paranaguá-PR, Porto Velho-RO, and Santos-SP), as well as ports in Colombia and Peru. 

The LEAP Programme, a partnership between INTERPOL and several strategic areas of UNODC, including the Container Control Programme (CCP), the Global Programme against Money Laundering (GPML), and the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), is supported by the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI).