Context: Recently, a team of India Customs intercepted an 18-tonne shipment of red sandalwood destined for the United Arab Emirates, during "Operation Thunder 2020".
Operation Thunder 2020

• It is a month-long operation coordinated by the Interpol and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which involved law enforcement agencies in 103 countries.
• The operation was organized against environmental crime.
• It resulted in large seizures of protected wildlife and forestry specimens and products, triggering arrests and investigations worldwide.
• The participating countries in Operation Thunder 2020 focused mainly on the species protected under the Convention on
• International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• "Operation Thunder 2020" is the fourth in a series of "Thunder" operations carried out annually since 2017.

Other THUNDER Operations
Operation Thunderbird (2017)

• It is the code-name for INTERPOL’s multi-national and multi-species enforcement operation.
• The operation brought about a unanimous approach by the state enforcement agencies in the fight against wildlife crime in India.

Operation Thunderstorm

• It targeted the people and networks behind global wildlife crime.
• It involved police, customs, border, environment, wildlife, and forestry agencies from 92 countries.

Operation Thunderball

• It brought INTERPOL and WCO together as joint operational partners on the frontline to ensure wildlife trafficking is addressed comprehensively, from detection to arrest, investigation, and prosecution.
• The operation saw half a tonne of pangolin parts bound for Asia seized in Nigeria, and the arrest of three suspects in Uruguay attempting to smuggle more than 400 protected wildlife species.

Additional Information

• World Customs Organization (WCO): It is an independent intergovernmental body established in 1952 to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. Headquarters:Brussels, Belgium.
• International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL): It is an intergovernmental organization established in 1923 with the aim to facilitate worldwide police cooperation and crime control in around 194 countries.Headquarters: Lyon,France.