U.S. and Indonesia hold joint workshop to combat illegal timber and wildlife trafficking
The United States Department of Justice held a training workshop with partners in Indonesia aimed at strengthening efforts to combat illegal timber and wildlife trafficking.
The workshop was organized by the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the Justice Department in cooperation with the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law and the Independent Forest Monitoring Network. A total of 25 Indonesian law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges participated in the training.
The program focused on addressing illegal logging, wildlife trafficking crimes, and enhancing international legal cooperation in tackling environmental offenses.
Focus on the Lacey Act
During the workshop, officials highlighted the importance of the Lacey Act, one of the oldest federal wildlife protection laws in the United States. Since 2008, the law has made it illegal to import plants and plant products into the United States if they were harvested or exported in violation of another country’s laws.
Authorities emphasized that the act serves as a key tool in combating illegal logging and the global trade in illicit timber products. Participants were also briefed on how the law complements Indonesia’s timber legality verification system and supports bilateral law enforcement cooperation.
Animal cruelty content also discussed
The workshop also addressed Indonesia’s criminal code and procedures, as well as investigations and prosecutions related to animal cruelty content.
Officials noted that individuals in Indonesia have created videos depicting torture of monkeys for viewers in the United States. U.S. authorities have recently charged and prosecuted several individuals involved in producing or distributing such “animal crush videos.”
Support from multiple U.S. agencies
The workshop was funded by the United States Department of State and supported by personnel from several U.S. agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Officials stressed that international cooperation remains critical in addressing environmental crimes and illegal wildlife trafficking.
