Illegal Logging Is $15 Billion Industry For Organized Crime Syndicates

While we often think of organized crime syndicates running drugs, operating illegal brothels, even trafficking in humans, most of us probably wouldn’t think of their grasp on the illegal logging industry.

According to a recent report from the World Bank organized crime syndicates are raking in as much as $15 billion a year thanks to the practice of illegal deforestation.

The World Bank claims that many of the illegal loggers are operating in protected areas such as Madagascar while others operate in Indonesia and West Africa.

The report predicts that organized crime accounts for a soccer field-sized chunk of forest disappearing every single second.

One World Bank official tells the BBC:

“We need to fight organized crime in illegal logging the way we go after gangsters selling drugs or racketeering,”

In the report World Bank analysts write:

“Most forest crimes go undetected, unreported, or are ignored.”

To stop illegal logging the World Bank is asking that Western nations stop buying illegal wood and put processes in place that will stop the practice. For example three years ago the United States passed a law requiring companies to prove wood was legally sourced from reputable loggers. Since the US law has went into place several company’s in the United States have already come under investigation including Gibson Guitar.

Do you think illegal logging practices should be more closely scrutinized to ensure organized crime syndicates are not able to reap the benefits of their illegal practice that has devastating effects on the areas they invade?