The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convened a virtual summit of financial intelligence units from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and the United States to coordinate efforts against transnational criminal organizations profiting from nature crimes in the Amazon region. The event was presented as a milestone in operationalizing the Amazon region partnership announced by Secretary Janet L. Yellen in July 2024. Discussions covered illegal deforestation, illegal mining, gold smuggling, timber trafficking, wildlife trafficking, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and the role of transnational criminal organizations in these activities. FinCEN also pointed to existing guidance and analysis intended to help financial institutions detect and report related illicit finance, including a 2021 notice with Suspicious Activity Report filing instructions for environmental crimes and a 2021 financial threat analysis on wildlife trafficking, noting that wildlife trafficking is among its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism National Priorities.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network 2025-01-17
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network convenes Amazon region financial intelligence unit summit to counter illicit finance linked to nature crimes
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network held a virtual summit with financial intelligence units from several countries to combat transnational criminal organizations involved in nature crimes in the Amazon. Discussions addressed illegal activities such as deforestation, mining, and wildlife trafficking. FinCEN highlighted guidance to help financial institutions detect related illicit finance, emphasizing wildlife trafficking as a priority in its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism efforts.