Prince William has hailed the five-year imprisonment of an endangered species trafficker as a ‘significant victory’ and said that we can ‘defeat’ the illegal wildlife trade.
US District Judge Gregory H Woods today sentenced Moazu Kromah, from Kampala, Uganda, who conspired to traffic millions of dollars worth of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.
The 49-year-old, along with two co-conspirators, was part of a transnational criminal gang which engaged in trafficking and smuggling of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory on a huge scale, according to court documents.
At least 190 kilograms of rhinoceros horns and 10 tons of elephant ivory were smuggled, sold and distributed from about December 2012 to May 2019 at an average retail value of around 7.4 million dollars (£6.2 million).
This contraband which the gang, based in Uganda, sold on, came from or involved countries in East Africa, for buyers in the United States and south-east Asia.
It involved the illegal poaching of more than 100 elephants and 35 rhinoceros.
Kromah was extradited to the United States from Uganda on June 13, 2019 to face charges.
Prince William has hailed the five-year imprisonment of the endangered species trafficker as a ‘significant victory’ and said that we can ‘defeat’ the illegal wildlife trade
US District Judge Gregory H Woods sentenced Moazu Kromah, pictured, who conspired to traffic millions of dollars worth of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory, on Thursday
William said: ‘Today’s sentencing demonstrates both what is possible when a coordinated international response is brought to bear against the illegal wildlife trade, and why it is essential.
‘This is a significant victory and a landmark case. For over a decade, its complexity has been skilfully met by a global alliance of international law enforcement agencies, governments, NGOs and private sector organisations, including a number of brilliant United for Wildlife partners.
‘It is further proof that we have the tools to combat this insidious crime and is testament to the power of international collaboration.
‘I’d like to congratulate everyone involved for their meticulous planning and determination to pursue justice.
‘Thanks to their perseverance, hundreds of endangered animals and the communities that live alongside them have been protected, sending the strongest possible message that together we can defeat the illegal wildlife trade.’
Judge Woods remarked that the sentence imposed was ‘significant’, in order to send a ‘loud and clear message’ that wildlife trafficking on a large-scale warrants serious consequences.
Organisations in different countries collaborated to bring Kromah to justice, from law enforcement agencies and governments to NGOs and private sector organisations
According to Kensington Palace, this included partners of United for Wildlife (UfW), an initiative which was founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation.
Members of UfW assisted through the international finance and transport taskforces detecting and reporting crucial evidence.
UfW has brought together more than 250 law enforcement and other government agencies since 2016, conservation NGOs, transport companies and financial institutions to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
Kromah and his co-conspirators smuggled at least 10 tons of elephant ivory over a seven-year period. Pictured: An elephant with no tusks (stock image)