United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Paid Courtesy Call on DSI Executives

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Paid Courtesy Call on DSI Executives

On Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) assigned Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, to preside over the reception of Mr. James Markley, Regional Attaché, and his delegation from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), who requested a courtesy call and official discussion with DSI officials. The meeting was also attended by Police Major Natapol Ditsayatham, Director of the Bureau of Natural Resources and Environment Crime, Mr. Somroek Tangkharawakhun, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime and Acting Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Transnational Crime, along with other relevant officers at Meeting Room 2, 8th Floor, Department of Special Investigation, Government Complex, Building B.

On this occasion, Police Captain Wisanu welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two agencies in combating transnational wildlife and environment-related crimes through intelligence exchange, training, and technical support to enhance investigative and prosecutorial effectiveness.

The meeting included discussions on the trafficking of high-value swim bladders of Totoaba, valued at 40,000–50,000 USD (approximately 1.3–1.6 million THB) per kilogram. These bladders, which are believed to have medicinal properties and symbolize wealth and status among collectors, are typically smuggled from Mexico to China by hiding them among frozen seafood. Additionally, the illegal capture of Totoaba using fishing nets has brought the Vaquita, a critically endangered species of small porpoise that shares the same habitat, to the brink of extinction due to bycatch.

The USFWS representatives noted that this form of wildlife trafficking is deeply intertwined with major transnational criminal organizations, including those involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. They expressed their strong interest in collaborating with DSI to rigorously suppress such offenses. Thailand, being one of the world’s largest hubs for wildlife trade, is a key transit point for illegal imports and exports of wildlife through airports, seaports, and land borders.

The meeting also addressed the issue of illegal trafficking of high-value hardwoods (e.g. teak and siamese rosewood) from Thailand, Laos, and other parts of the region to the United States, with smuggling routes passing through Malaysia. This meeting marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership between the USFWS and the Department of Special Investigation, and demonstrates the shared commitment of both agencies to protect endangered wildlife and natural resources, as well as to combat the transnational criminal organizations involved.