The fifth Operation of Mekong Dragon was announced at a meeting of forces from more than 20 countries and regions across Asia and Oceania to combat wildlife smuggling amid increased risk of cross-border endangered species trafficking. The meeting took place on April 11 in Shanghai.

OMD V will last six months, running from April to September.

The operation, proposed by the customs authorities of China and Vietnam in 2018, aims to enhance information and intelligence exchange and cooperative enforcement efforts among countries across the Greater Mekong Sub-region to prevent and intercept illegal smuggling of drugs and endangered wildlife.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce and Wildlife Conservation Society also expressed their support.

Representatives from more than 20 countries and regions were in attendance, including China, Vietnam, Australia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Since wildlife smuggling was included in OMD in 2020, more than 210 cases involving the smuggling of endangered species were handled as of OMD IV.

"At present, the global trafficking of endangered species is showing rebound, requiring stronger regional collaboration and vigilance," said Grace Ge Gabriel, Senior Advisor for Asia Affairs with IFAW.

"IFAW commits to supporting law enforcement cooperation among agencies along the entire wildlife trafficking chain, based on our global network of offices in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas."

The meeting was co-hosted by the World Customs Organization Regional Intelligence Liaison Office-Pacific, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, General Administration of Customs of China and Vietnam Customs.