Liberian authorities have arrested two suspected wildlife traffickers and seized 735.5 kilograms of pangolin scales in a major intelligence-led operation targeting organised wildlife crime.
The arrests were made on May 22, 2026, in Monrovia during a joint operation by the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), acting on actionable intelligence provided through investigations by the Wildlife Justice Commission.
The seizure, which represents as many as 3,970 pangolins, is the first major wildlife trafficking bust reported in Liberia since 2024 and reflects renewed efforts by the country’s authorities to dismantle transnational wildlife trafficking networks.
The operation builds on an earlier joint investigation conducted in July 2024 with support from the Wildlife Justice Commission and the former Special Wildlife Investigation Unit of the Liberia National Police. That operation led to the arrest of two traffickers and the seizure of 524.5 kilograms of pangolin scales, equivalent to an estimated 2,800 pangolins. Intelligence gathered during that investigation helped identify additional suppliers and associates who remained active in the illegal wildlife trade.
According to the Wildlife Justice Commission, the latest arrests underscore the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, long-term investigations, and coordinated enforcement actions in disrupting organised wildlife trafficking networks.
“The operating environment is changing in Liberia, and wildlife traffickers are on notice,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.
She commended the Liberian authorities for their decisive action, noting that wildlife traffickers have long viewed the crime as a low-risk, high-reward enterprise. She added that intelligence-driven operations are helping to increase the risks for criminals while strengthening efforts to dismantle organised wildlife crime.
Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, valued for both their meat and scales, particularly in China and Vietnam, where the scales are used in traditional medicine. All eight species are protected under international law, while three are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Illegal trafficking and overexploitation remain the greatest threats to their survival.
