TraCCC conducted research aimed at analyzing the transnational criminal networks that are responsible for the catastrophic surge in rhino poaching from South Africa in recent years, and to support South African authorities and law enforcement globally in directing their efforts against transnational horn smuggling networks at their most vulnerable points.
The project operated from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015 and focused on the following activities:
- Building an end-to-end geospatial map of the transnational supply chains moving rhino horn, identifying syndicate leaders, trade routes, financiers, and vulnerable nodes in their logistical operations that authorities can disrupt globally;
- Writing and publicizing analyses of the “convergence” of rhino horn trafficking networks with traffickers of people and narcotics;
- Pinpointing legal authorities that can be used to seize assets, maximize penalties, and raise awareness with law enforcement agencies about those legal options;
- Assisting South African authorities to develop global law enforcement partnerships.
