Undercover filming during a meeting with three ivory traffickers identified by EIA’s investigations in 2016 as the heads of the Shuidong Syndicate ©️EIA

Undercover investigations

EIA pioneered the use of undercover investigations to expose illicit trade in natural resources and endangered species. Our approach encompasses the innovative use of undercover operations, film documentation and detailed evidence-gathering to document environmental crimes.

Through covert operations, our expert investigators seek to infiltrate the different layers of environmental crime groups to gather intelligence. By using skilled undercover techniques, investigators gain unique insights into the different functions within the groups, major trafficking routes, concealment methods, supply chain mapping and links to other forms of environmental crime.

Our investigative efforts extend across continents, with significant activities concentrated in key regions including Europe, East Asia, South-East Asia, West and Central Africa and the US.

These efforts are underpinned by diligent planning, extensive research, and a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our team members operating in challenging environments.

By choosing to not establish on-site offices in focal regions, we ensure that our operations remain uncompromised, enabling us to tackle environmental crimes without fear or favour.

Some of our successes

What it’s like to investigate wildlife crime undercover?

“The most stressful aspect of leading a double life when working undercover to investigate transnational wildlife crime organisations is its impact on personal and family life. This can range from minor to major intrusions and be as varied as having to interrupt dinner with my family to slip into character and take phone calls from traders I’ve met, to changing the entire family’s schedule to accommodate a good opportunity for an important meeting with traders."

“However, the biggest impact is the sense of risk to investigators and our families after exposing an illegal trade syndicate, especially for those of us who are living in the same country, or even the same city, as the traders. Some investigators have had to move their family to a safer place to avoid accidentally running into previously encountered criminals related to a bust.

You can’t ever fully relax, even when not working. There are no holidays for traders – these people work around the clock whenever and wherever the opportunities arise. A trader may contact an investigator at any time of the day, any day of the week, and they won’t care if you’re on holiday or it’s midnight because many of them are living in different regions with different time zones – they expect you to be as available as they are.”

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