The criminal syndicates that run guns, drugs, and traffick humans are now behind illicit trade in ivory and rhino horn. The rampant slaughter of African elephants and rhinos is enriching criminal syndicates while both species are on the verge of extinction. Elephants are killed for ivory, and Rhinos are hunted for their horn, which is thought to be an aphrodisiac.
This video looks at the state of illicit wildlife trade and how it funds transnational criminals and insurgents, featuring Professor Louise Shelley, author of "Dirty Entanglements: Corruption, Crime and Terrorism." Professor Shelley is the Founder and Director of the Terrorism, Transnational Crime, and Corruption Center at George Mason University.
