The Spanish Civil Guard seized 150 kilograms of horns, skins, and bones from protected animal species from Africa in Cádiz. The haul, found in a van, included deer, fallow deer, and roe deer antlers, as well as leopard and cheetah skins and bones from other animals. The vehicle's owner, a Spanish citizen, was detained and charged with crimes against wildlife and money laundering. Operation "Lince" is part of a broader investigation led by the special SEPRONA unit.
Scale and nature of the haul
Officers seized 150 kilograms of animal-derived materials, including deer, fallow deer, and roe deer antlers, leopard and cheetah skins, and bones from other species. The goods were being transported in a van at the port of Cádiz, from where they were intended for the illegal market.
Arrest and charges
A Spanish citizen, the vehicle's owner, was detained. He was charged with crimes against wildlife and also with money laundering, suggesting an organized nature of the activity and links to broader criminal networks.
Context of Operation "Lince"
The action is part of an operation codenamed "Lince" (Lynx), conducted by the Civil Guard's special nature protection unit, SEPRONA. The investigation focuses on combating the illegal trade in protected species, which is often linked to other forms of organized crime.
Origin and smuggling route
The materials originated from Africa, and Spain, due to its geographical location, is often used as a transit point for the illegal wildlife trade to other European countries. The seizure took place before further distribution of the goods.
The Spanish Civil Guard conducted a significant operation against the illegal trade of protected animal species in Cádiz, seizing 150 kilograms of horns, skins, and bones. The action, part of an investigation codenamed "Lince," led to the arrest of a Spanish citizen, the owner of the van where the haul was found. He was charged with serious crimes against wildlife and money laundering. The seized materials, according to information from the articles, included deer, fallow deer, and roe deer antlers, leopard (leopard) and cheetah skins, and bones from other animals. The goods originated from Africa and were intercepted at the port of Cádiz before they could reach the illegal market, likely destined for other European countries. The special nature protection unit of the Civil Guard, SEPRONA (SEPRONA), led the operation. The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth largest illegal trade in the world, after drugs, human trafficking, and counterfeit goods. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in force since 1975, regulates and restricts such trade by establishing lists of protected species. The money laundering charge indicates that investigators suspect the detainee was part of an organized criminal network, not a lone poacher. The trade in trophies and parts of protected animals generates huge profits, which are often laundered through the financial system. Spain, with its extensive coastline and maritime connections to Africa, is a strategic transit point for this type of smuggling. All sources emphasize the role of the SEPRONA unit in combating this phenomenon. There is no information on the exact African country of origin for the trophies, which is typical for such investigations where supply chains are deliberately obscured. Operation "Lince" demonstrates the continued commitment of Spanish authorities to protecting biodiversity and enforcing international environmental regulations.