Authorities from five Amazonian countries have arrested hundreds of individuals and confiscated vast quantities of illegally obtained goods during a major coordinated crackdown on environmental crimes across the Amazon Basin. The operation, named Green Shield 2026, took place from July 15 to 31 and involved security forces from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
More than 3,600 officers were deployed to target a range of illicit activities, including illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling, and land grabbing—the unlawful seizure or occupation of land often linked to deforestation. Officials reported that the operation resulted in 839 arrests throughout 1,045 field actions, marking one of the largest multinational law enforcement efforts against environmental crime in the region.
Authorities seized over 9.9 million cubic feet of illegally harvested timber and 195 metric tons of minerals, including gold, iron, and copper. Equipment used in unauthorized mining operations was also confiscated. In addition, more than 3,000 live animals were rescued from traffickers, while at least 430 dead animals recovered were connected to wildlife trafficking offenses. The animals included a range of species such as snakes, birds, lizards, and fish.
Environmental crime has surged in the Amazon, fueled by global demand for resources like gold, timber, and wildlife products. Investigators note that criminal groups often operate multiple illicit enterprises concurrently—combining mining, logging, and trafficking—and use shared networks and transit routes that cross international borders. This interconnectedness has underscored the need for enhanced cross-border cooperation in enforcement efforts.
Operation Green Shield 2026 was coordinated from Bogota, Colombia, under the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), a program launched in 2023 through a partnership between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Arab Emirates government. The UAE has emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing transnational crime. “By working together, law enforcement agencies can achieve stronger results,” said Col. Dana Humaid, director-general of the International Affairs Bureau at the UAE Ministry of Interior.
The current operation expanded on a similar effort in 2025, which involved over 1,500 officers from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru for one of the first coordinated multinational crackdowns targeting environmental offenses. This year’s operation included Bolivia and focused on synchronized deployments in remote border and river regions.
Colombian National Police Director Gen. William Oswaldo Rincón Zambrano highlighted the role of intelligence sharing in facilitating joint enforcement actions, stating, “Protecting our natural resources requires a shared response.” Similarly, Gen. J. Manuel Cruz Chamba, the Peruvian police environmental chief, remarked that environmental crimes “do not respect borders,” reinforcing the need for international cooperation.
Officials estimated the combined value of seized goods exceeded $280 million, signaling a significant blow to criminal networks exploiting the Amazon’s natural resources.