NEWS
The Spanish Guardia Civil, in collaboration with Europol and 32 European countries, successfully intercepted 18 tonnes of eels and baby eels destined for illegal sale in Asia. This historic operation, aimed at curbing eel smuggling, led to the arrest of 256 suspected smugglers across Europe.
Source: Spain in English
SITUATION ANALYSIS
This operation underscores the alarming rise in eel smuggling and the illegal trade of endangered European eels. Moreover, the scale of the seizure—24 tonnes across Europe, with 18 tonnes in Spain alone—exposes a well-organized and lucrative criminal network dedicated to eel smuggling. Consequently, this operation demonstrates the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect this species and combat wildlife trafficking.
CHALLENGES
- High Demand and Profitability: The high black-market price of baby eels (€9,000/kg) fuels illegal activity, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement.
- Sophisticated Smuggling Tactics: Smugglers employ various tactics to evade detection. These tactics include using shell companies, disguising eels, and transporting them in plastic bags.
- Transnational Nature of Crime: The international scope of this smuggling network necessitates cross-border collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
- Environmental Impact: The illegal trade threatens the survival of the European eel. Stocks have already plummeted by 90% in recent decades.
WHY iCOGNATIVE?
iCognative™ uses advanced brainwave analysis to uncover hidden knowledge. In this case, investigators could expose suspects to stimuli related to the illicit activities. Those with deeper involvement would likely exhibit distinct brainwave patterns. This could help identify not only the arrested individuals but also higher-level figures in the smuggling ring.
- Identifying Key Players: iCognative™ could pinpoint those with in-depth knowledge of the smuggling operation, including organizers, financiers, and distributors.
- Exposing Shell Companies: Brainwave analysis could help determine whether individuals associated with alleged shell companies were genuinely unaware of the illegal activities or complicit in the scheme.
- Tracing Supply Chains: By analyzing brainwave responses to specific details, iCognative™ could help map the complex supply chain and identify key links.
While the Guardia Civil operation marks a significant victory against eel smuggling, iCognative™ technology could be a valuable tool in future investigations. Specifically, it offers the potential to expose the full extent of smuggling networks, identifying key players and protecting endangered species by aiding in the dismantling of illegal wildlife trade operations.
Source: Brainwave Science