Bogot¡: Law enforcement agencies from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with organisational support and leadership from the UAE through the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), have successfully concluded Operation Green Shield 2026, marking one of the largest-ever coordinated international policing operations against environmental crime in the Amazon Basin.
According to Emirates News Agency, the operation was coordinated from a multinational command centre in Bogot¡ and involved intelligence-led investigations, cross-border planning, and real-time information sharing. The focus was on tackling criminal networks involved in illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling, land grabbing, and other related crimes that threaten biodiversity, local communities, and regional stability.
The operation saw the deployment of over 3,600 law enforcement personnel and resulted in the arrest of 839 individuals through 1,045 field operations. Authorities seized 280,450 cubic metres of illegally harvested timber, confiscated more than 195 tonnes of minerals, and identified 800 incidents of illegal fishing.
In addition, the operation led to the rescue of more than 3,079 live animals and the recovery of at least 1,136 dead animals linked to wildlife trafficking crimes. Authorities also confiscated 32,000 pieces of equipment used in illegal mining activities and seized more than 550 gallons of fuel. The cumulative value of seizures exceeded US$280 million, demonstrating the tangible impact of I2LEC beyond conference diplomacy and aspirational commitments.
Colonel Dana Humaid, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized that the UAE leadership firmly believes in collaboration as essential to combating transnational crime and that effective international cooperation is vital for present and future policing efforts.
General William Oswaldo Rinc³n Zambrano, Director-General of the Colombian National Police, stated that hosting the operation with UAE support translated cooperation and intelligence-sharing into effective action against various forms of environmental crime. He emphasized the necessity of a shared response to protect natural resources under the slogan 'Together for a greener, safer future.'
Commander General of the Bolivian Police Mirko Antonio Sokol Saravia highlighted that Bolivia's participation strengthened their operational capabilities in addressing crimes affecting forests, biodiversity, rivers, and communities.
General J. Manuel Cruz Chamba, Director of the Environmental Directorate of the National Police of Peru, expressed privilege in participating in the operation and valued the support from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan through the I2LEC initiative.
Green Shield 2026 is part of a series of global policing operations led by I2LEC, a UAE-led platform established in partnership with UNODC in 2023. It aims to enhance the role of law enforcement in tackling environmental crime and climate-related security risks. Since its inception, I2LEC has supported international training, research, intelligence-sharing, and multinational enforcement operations, treating environmental crime as both an organized crime challenge and a climate-security priority.