The Amazonian region of Ucayali in Peru is facing a serious crisis due to illegal trafficking of protected species and timber, crimes that threaten the local ecological balance and global climate stability. This area, rich in biodiversity, has become a hotspot where organised crime contributes to the degradation of one of the planet’s most important green lungs.

The Support from the forces of law of the European Union in the fight against drugs and organised crime in Peru project has strengthened institutional capacities against these global environmental crimes through the ‘Workshop on Combating Illegal Logging and Trafficking of Protected Species’. The training sessions in Pucallpa brought together key participants, including representatives of the National Police, prosecutors, DICAPI (Navy) personnel, SUNAT (Customs) officials and specialists from the Ministry of Environment.

The training was given by renowned international experts: a Spanish magistrate specialised in wildlife crime, who shared the best practices of the European judicial system, and a French university researcher, an expert in environmental organised crime, who provided updated perspectives on international trafficking networks and investigation methodologies. The training was based on specific cases and allowed, through group work, joint reflection on effective strategies to combat these crimes.

This activity has consolidated inter-institutional work, which is essential to improve effectiveness against environmental organised crime. Coordination between entities is essential to optimise intelligence operations, unify regulatory criteria and develop joint strategies. Only through joint work and continuous training will it be possible to protect the Amazon’s natural heritage for future generations.