A major investigation into global wildlife crime today names for the first time key traffickers and links their illegal trade to corrupt officials at the highest levels of one Asian country. The crime family at the centre of Asia's animal trafficking network Read moreIt points to two Vietnamese siblings, the Bach brothers, as key suspects who control a primary smuggling route for endangered animals. The 182 nations who have signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) are debating the future of animals that are being wiped out by a criminal industry. The global body is tasked with regulating international wildlife trade, but has no enforcement powers, meaning the slaughter of endangered species and their sale for profit continues unabated. Worth $23bn (£17.5bn) a year, animal trafficking is the fourth most lucrative black market industry after drugs, people and arms smuggling.

Source: The Guardian September 26, 2016 12:11 UTC