Abstract
Animal trafficking has emerged as one of the most lucrative forms of transnational organized crime, generating substantial illicit profits that are increasingly laundered through complex financial systems. Traditionally perceived as an environmental or conservation concern, wildlife crime also constitutes a serious financial offense that threatens legal economies, governance structures and national security. This paper explores the intersection between animal trafficking and money laundering, with a specific focus on the Indian context. It examines how proceeds from illegal wildlife trade are introduced, layered and integrated into the formal financial system using various illicit techniques. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical methodology based on secondary data, including international reports, legal frameworks, case studies and judicial developments. It identifies common laundering methods employed by criminal networks, such as the use of shell companies, trade-based money laundering, misuse of legitimate wildlife businesses, hawala transactions and manipulation of cross-border financial flows. Case analyses, including Operation Cobra and the Rajura Tiger Poaching Case, highlight how organized groups exploit regulatory loopholes and weak financial investigations, thereby limiting effective prosecution. The paper further evaluates India’s legal and institutional framework, particularly the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, alongside wildlife and customs laws. The findings underscore the need to reconceptualize animal trafficking as both an environmental and financial crime and emphasize stronger financial investigations, inter-agency coordination and international cooperation to effectively combat such illicit networks.
Keywords: Animal Trafficking, Anti-money Laundering (AML), Financial Crime, Illegal Wildlife Trade, India, Money Laundering.