Introduction Pollution Pollution Success Stories Ship Pollution Success Stories Wildlife Wildlife news Wildlife Working Group Ecomessage Wildlife Officers Memorial Conferences / Meetings Links Interpol investigative manual - Illegal oil discharges from vessels

On 5-6 June 2007, twenty-eight participants from 16 member countries attended the 2007 Pollution Crimes Working Group meeting. The group has been in existence for fifteen years. The meeting began with a presentation on the continuing project regarding the links between organized crime and environmental crime. This project will continue for the next twelve months focusing on the illegal export of electronic waste. The project will link its activities to the European Union’s group IMPEL who are working on related issues.

The newly published Interpol Investigative Manual for Illegal Oil Discharges from Vessels was distributed to the attendees. The manual contains information for investigators and prosecutors on such topics as: International Conventions, aerial surveillance, onboard inspections, interviewing, prosecutorial guidance and extended appendices with guidance documents that can be carried with the investigator during the actual investigation. It is the first international manual ever produced for environmental criminal enforcement. Copies of the manual will be sent to Interpol’s National Central Bureaus where copies can be ordered by national authorities. The Operation Clean Seas project will continue to gather information on recent prosecutions so that an information database can be compiled on criminal violations of MARPOL 73/78.

The Penalties Project presented the completed Advocacy Memorandum to the group. This Interpol document is intended to be used by as a model sentencing memo for prosecutors around the world to advocate for appropriate sanctions in environmental criminal prosecutions. The memorandum will be published on the Interpol website.

The Aquapol project was presented to the group as well as a report on the recent Probo Koala hazardous waste incident in the Ivory Coast. The Interpol Sub-Regional Office in Abidjan reported on environmental issues in West Africa, specifically end of life vehicles, electronic waste, and used appliances.

Future projects were developed based on the criteria of: achievability, significance, and value to Interpol member countries. Future projects include:

• air enforcement initiatives involving carbon emission savings and ozone depleting substances related to Global Warming,
• developing an instructor pool for oil pollution training,
• developing a expert group available to provide investigative and prosecutorial consultation for criminal investigations,
• providing a training course for the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network for Accession (ECENA) a European Union organization for pre-candidate, candidate and acceding countries,
• vessel enforcement manual related to illegal disposal of garbage,
• fundraising to support training.