China Customs display ivory seized in the country

The Intelligence and Investigations Unit

EIA’s dedicated Intelligence and Investigations Unit provides a central hub of experienced personnel to support EIA’s investigative work.

Staffed by trained undercover investigators, data analysts and former law enforcement and private sector intelligence professionals, the team specialises in conducting meticulous investigations that expose the intricate web of illicit trade and environmental abuse by organised crime groups exploiting natural resources.

Each member of our unit plays a crucial role in the investigation cycle. It all begins with identifying an issue and continues with the ongoing process of gathering information. This information may come from various sources, including online research, fieldwork, corporate investigations and publicly available data.

Our investigations are dynamic and constantly evolving, based on new findings and opportunities. We stay ahead by working closely together, understanding that collaboration across different roles is essential for creating a complete picture of environmental crime.

 

Our impact

While EIA’s intelligence has been used to disrupt organised criminal networks, we do not measure impact through number of arrests. Instead, our focus is on providing relevant and significant information to those responsible for systemic change.

 

Our impact since the launch of our Intelligence and Investigations Unit in 2022

  • 23

    investigations across 18 countries in 3 continents

  • 137

    intelligence briefings have been shared with law enforcement and government agencies

  • 6

    intelligence training sessions delivered to partners globally