FROM: U.S STATE DEPARTMENT
First Reward Offer for Transnational Organized Crime Information
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 13, 2013
I am proud to announce the State Department’s first-ever reward for information leading to the dismantling of a transnational criminal organization, as part of our new Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program.
The involvement of sophisticated transnational criminal organizations in wildlife trafficking perpetuates corruption, threatens the rule of law and border security in fragile regions, and destabilizes communities that depend on wildlife for biodiversity and eco-tourism. Profits from wildlife trafficking, estimated at $8–10 billion per year, fund other illicit activities such as narcotics, arms, and human trafficking.
That is why the Department of State is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the dismantling of the Xaysavang Network.
Based in Laos—with affiliates in South Africa, Mozambique, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China—the Xaysavang Network facilitates the killing of endangered elephants, rhinos, and other species for products such as ivory.
Several major seizures of illegal wildlife products have been linked to the Xaysavang Network.
