In 2008 at least one-third of fuel from Iraq’s largest refinery is being diverted to the black market. The proceeds from the sale were being used to support in insurgency against American troops.
Category: Environmental Threats
News and information on various environmental issues Provides data and statistics on illegal wildlife smuggling, poaching, gas and oil smuggling and other illegal markets.
26 to 73 million shark fins sold in Hong Kong every year
Source: Mark Henderson, “Taste for fins puts shark on danger list,” Times, February 18, 2008.
Amount of Illegal Seafood Entering Europe
Illegal fishing activities catches up to $1.6 Billion worth of seafood that enters the food industry in the European Union.
Price of pound of shark fin for soup
The price of a single pound of shark fin is between $200 to $400.
Gorillas on Sale in Congo
Traffickers in Africa were arrested after attempting to sell rare mountain Gorillas for $8,000 each.
Iguanas for Sale on the Black Market
A smuggler was charged by authorities in California for stealing endangered iguanas from a nature preserve in Fiji. According to law enforcement officials, Jereme James smuggled the iguanas into America through his prosthetic leg. He previously sold three iguanas on the black market for $32,000.