The World Customs Organization (WCO) just published its latest Illicit Trade Report (ITR). The ITR offers a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics and evolving trends of illicit trade. This edition underscores the complexity and adaptability of transnational criminal networks, highlighting impacts on public safety, global security, and sustainable development.

The report, using data collected throughout 2024, focuses on key enforcement areas for Customs, including drugs, environment, money laundering and terrorist financing, intellectual property rights, health and safety, revenue and security.

The purpose of the report is to raise awareness of critical risk areas and enforcement challenges faced by Customs administrations globally; and to enhance knowledge through intelligence informed data analysis supporting the development of strategic policies and future capacity-building initiatives. The sharing of this data annually strengthens the collective ability of WCO Members to detect, analyse and respond to illicit trade across different regions and domains.

In the report's foreword, WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: "The Illicit Trade Report not only informs but seeks to inspire further innovation, collaboration, and action. Together, by leveraging data, building partnerships, and investing in technology, we can advance our shared goal of a safer, more secure and more prosperous global trading environment."

The Illicit Trade Report 2024 findings reveal shifting trafficking patterns, increasing sophistication in concealment methods, and the adaptability of transnational criminal networks. The report highlights a surge in the trafficking of cannabis, counterfeit goods and illicit environmental commodities, alongside a rise in seizures of small arms components and ammunition - underscoring the evolving global security landscape.

Enforcement Trends

This edition also includes insights drawn from case studies, WCO-led operations and open-source intelligence, offering additional operational context. It highlights the contributions and outcomes of WCO-led international enforcement operations such as DEMETER X, THUNDER, TENTACLE, COLIBRI, Calypso and Secure Horizon. It also includes inaugural seizure data for fentanyl, highlighting its insidious impacts on societal security and public health.

The report not only highlights key enforcement trends but also celebrates operational successes and the shared commitment of WCO Members to protect global supply chains and communities. It includes several success stories that demonstrate how targeted Customs interventions have disrupted criminal activity and enhanced inter-agency cooperation. Sharing of these stories and best practices supports other Customs administrations in future interdictions, investigations, and ultimately prosecutions, further enhancing the fight against illicit trade.

One example is that from Chilean Customs. Through its involvement in Project TENTACLE and regional coordination efforts, Chile not only disrupted significant illicit financial flows, seizing over $2 million USD in undeclared currency and 50kg of gold and jewelry, but also built a sustainable intelligence and enforcement model that can be replicated in other Member administrations. The country's proactive approach serves as a model of integrated border enforcement, especially in high-risk zones for gold laundering and bulk currency movement.

Collaboration and data sharing

The report is the result of close collaboration between the WCO Secretariat, the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) and WCO Members. It is primarily based on seizure data voluntarily submitted to the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) - the world's only centralized, Customs-led enforcement database. With over one million records submitted by the 187 WCO Members, the CEN supports Members in strengthening their analytical capability, enforcement planning and risk management.

The report further showcases, through heat maps and other visuals, the continued and valuable use of the CEN Data Visualization Tool, which enables Members to explore trafficking patterns, identify concealment methods and support operational decision-making through interactive visual analysis.

This annual publication underlines that the complex and evolving nature of illicit trade requires intelligence-led, risk-based and coordinated enforcement responses from Customs administrations.

The WCO extends its sincere appreciation to all Members, RILOs and partners who contributed to the development of the Illicit Trade Report 2024. Their continued commitment to data sharing and collaborative enforcement is essential to strengthening global efforts against illicit trade.

The Illicit Trade Report 2024 is now available in English, with the French version set to be released shortly.