On the same day that a loophole in endangered species trade law was closed, officers from the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime and Chinatown Units raided a TCM shop.
Approximately 200 products made from endangered tiger, leopard, and musk deer were seized from a “traditional Asian medicine” shop in London’s Chinatown area – a productive raid on the first day that an amended wildlife trade law came into effect.
An unfortunate loophole dealing with endangered species law had previously tied authorities’ hands when it came to enforcement. Up until now, the regulations favored the “country of origin” regarding the ingredients – often, where endangered species protection laws were lax or non-existent. This made it nearly impossible for successful prosecution of criminals.
But not anymore.
According to today’s WWF press release:
The Search Warrant was issued under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. These regulations make it illegal to sell, keep for sale, or buy any item that claims to be made from an endangered species.
Heather Sohl, WWF Species Trade Officer said in the release:
The fact the amendment has been used on its first day in effect shows how necessary it is to have effective laws and tools in place to bring unscrupulous traders to justice.
The raid was part of Operation Charm, the Met’s ongoing partnership initiative against the illegal trade in endangered species in London.
Operation Charm was launched in 1995, and has been responsible for the seizure of more than 40,000 items made from endangered species. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine products, seizures have included shahtoosh shawls, elephant ivory and taxidermy.
Here’s to Operation Charm!
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/publicdomainphotos/ / CC BY 2.0
About Rhishja Cota-Larson
