Collaboration at the Front Line: INTERPOL and NGOs in the Same NEST

Abstract

s The interconnectivity of environmental crime with other forms of criminal activity requires cooperation and collaboration across all levels of law enforcement in order to combat and prevent the illegal activities; s The current scale of environmental crime involves very similar approaches, means, and severity as other forms of crime, but is aggra-vated and exacerbated further by the direct serious implications it has on the development goals of many countries; s Particular concern is raised on the sheer scale of environmental crime including, but not limited to, illegal logging and deforestation, illegal fisheries and smuggling of toxic waste, and the severe implications of this not only on the environment, but also on human security and economic development (INTERPOL and UNEP, 2012: 2). It is not only these issues which have been highlighted in such sum-mits, but operational policies and practices as well. This is reflected in efforts to link up agencies and personnel across jurisdictions and across substantive enforcement areas. This is the key focus of the pre-sent chapter. In particular, as will be discussed, INTERPOL has had to forge important relationships not only with governmental agencies, but non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well. How and why this has occurred will be discussed as part of the chapter.