Every two seconds, across the world, an area of forest the size of a
football field is clear-cut by illegal loggers. Estimates suggest that
this criminal activity generates approximately US $10-15 bn annually
worldwide—funds that are unregulated, untaxed, and often remain
in the hands of organized criminal syndicates, and the corrupt
officials that protect them. Efforts to combat illegal logging have
thus far focused on preventive actions, and actions to improve the
detection of illegal logging. However, the deterrant effect of a more
punitive approach, through the investigation, prosecution and
condemnation of those involved in illegal logging operations, as well
as the confiscation of the benefits generated by this crime, has yet to
be fully captured.
This paper calls for the inclusion of criminal justice as part of
domestic and international strategies to combat illegal logging.
Accordingly, drawing on experience gained from dealing with other types
of crime (money laundering, corruption, etc.), the authors put forward
a combination of top down and bottom up policy and operational
recommendations to enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice
system in tackling the special feature of forest crime (i.e. linkages
with corruption at the highest level of government, organized-crime
nature, international dimension of illegal logging operations…).
Such recommendations include the integration of illegal logging as part
of timber-rich countries’ criminal justice strategies, with a
focus on 'following the money trail', the fostering of
international and domestic cooperation among policy makers, law
enforcement authorities and other key stakeholders, effective use of
existing laws and international standards on money laundering including
for financial institutions to exercise enhanced due diligence on
Politically Exposed Persons and the mobilization of the private
sector.
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