Imagine this scenario: seemingly ordinary shipping containers arrive at a port, but customs officers—armed with specialized knowledge and advanced technology—detect concealed illegal wildlife products from subtle clues. They swiftly gather evidence and bring criminals to justice. This isn't fiction but a vision global customs authorities are working to achieve through the World Customs Organization's (WCO) COPES training program.
COPES: A Powerful Weapon Against Wildlife Crime
The Compendium of Customs Operational Practices for Enforcement and Seizures (COPES) represents a comprehensive toolkit developed by WCO to enhance member customs administrations' capabilities in evidence collection and case management. The program's core philosophy emphasizes standardized procedures and technological solutions to ensure high-quality evidence gathering for criminal prosecutions.
Beyond evidence collection, COPES addresses case processing, international cooperation, and other critical aspects of combating wildlife trafficking. This holistic approach aims to establish a robust global framework against illegal wildlife trade networks.
INAMA Project: Fueling COPES Implementation
The WCO's INAMA project, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides crucial support for COPES implementation. This initiative focuses on strengthening customs agencies' capacity to combat wildlife trafficking through specialized training and technical assistance. With particular emphasis on African nations—home to numerous endangered species and heavily impacted by wildlife crime—the project enhances professional expertise and operational effectiveness.
Lomé Workshop: A Milestone in COPES Application
From September 25-29, 2023, WCO conducted a landmark regional workshop in Lomé, Togo, focusing on COPES applications against wildlife trafficking. This five-day event, organized through collaboration between WCO's COPES and environmental programs, brought together customs representatives from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, and Togo. Two WCO-certified experts from France and Benin led the sessions.
Workshop Curriculum Highlights
The comprehensive training covered multiple operational dimensions:
- Integrated Border Security: Participants examined risk management principles to identify high-risk cargo and travelers while strengthening border controls.
- Wildlife Seizure Protocols: Detailed procedures for handling confiscated wildlife products, including scientific identification methods like DNA and isotope analysis.
- Passenger Profiling: Techniques for analyzing travel patterns and behavioral indicators to detect potential smugglers.
- Evidence Documentation: Best practices for maintaining clear, accurate case records through proper report writing.
- Forensic Investigations: Application of fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, and other forensic tools in wildlife crime cases.
- Evidence Management: Systems for cataloging, storing, and preserving evidentiary materials to maintain chain of custody.
- Interrogation Methods: Psychological techniques for effective suspect interviews and testimony collection.
Workshop Outcomes
The training achieved significant results:
- Enhanced understanding of customs' critical role in wildlife protection
- Improved operational skills in evidence handling and case preparation
- Strengthened regional cooperation through knowledge sharing
Case Study: COPES in Action
A recent enforcement action demonstrates COPES' effectiveness: Customs officers inspecting African-origin cargo discovered concealed ivory shipments. Following COPES protocols, they documented the scene photographically, collected DNA samples, and analyzed shipping documents. Forensic testing revealed ivory from multiple elephant populations, while document examination uncovered falsified consignee information and undervaluation. This evidence supported successful prosecution and significant prison sentences.
The Road Ahead
As an evolving toolkit, COPES will continue adapting to emerging wildlife crime trends through WCO updates and expanded training initiatives. Combating illegal wildlife trade remains an ongoing challenge requiring sustained international collaboration to protect endangered species and maintain ecological balance.