According to information from the Center for Nature Education (ENV), C.D. K, commonly known as "Michael Chu" or "diamond tycoon", has been arrested in South Africa, marking an important breakthrough in efforts to enforce international law and conserve wildlife.
According to ENV, before being arrested, C.D.K. was put on the list of "boss" by international conservationists of one of the world's most notorious wildlife smuggling rings, with accusations of smuggling a large amount of rhino horns and tiger bones from Africa to Asia.
Ms. Bui Thi Ha, Deputy Director of the Center for Nature Education (ENV) shared: "ENV congratulates the success and important breakthrough of the South African police force in discovering and arresting suspect C.D.K. After many years of waiting, justice has finally been served. This is a major milestone in efforts to prevent and dismantle transnational wildlife crime rings.
According to many sources, C.D. K is known as a mysterious figure behind the illegal trafficking of rhino horns and tiger bones in South Africa. Here, Khoa owns the Elephant Game Lodge farm in North West province.
This facility is registered to legally raise tigers and rhinos but is also accused of being involved in the smuggling of rhino horns, lion bones and tiger bones to the black market in some Asian countries.
C.D. K is believed to have gone to South Africa since the end of 2023, after the suspect's mother, Ms. C.T. T, was investigated in Vietnam for allegations related to economic crimes.
Before being arrested, C.D. K was wanted by the investigating agency in South Africa after discovering that this subject's network "staged" a robbery of 98 rhino horns at Voi Game Lodge to smuggle these horns to the black market.
Ms. Ha emphasized: "Efforts to dismantle transnational wildlife trafficking criminal lines are still facing many challenges. However, the successful arrest of C.D.K is a milestone showing that no one can stand outside the law and we can completely stop illegal wildlife hunting and trafficking.
ENV highly appreciates the coordination of international and domestic functional agencies, as well as the coordination of organizations in cracking down and eliminating the ringleaders of large wildlife smuggling rings.
EnV representatives emphasized that efforts to fight and strictly handle the heads of criminal lines are the only way to thoroughly dismantle large trading networks and affirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to protecting endangered wildlife species.
The Nature Education Center was established in 2000, and is one of the first science and technology organizations on wildlife conservation in Vietnam.
ENV takes the lead in efforts to end illegal wildlife trafficking in Vietnam by applying creative strategies to improve legal regulations on wildlife protection, promote enforcement, directly support functional agencies in handling violations and mobilize community participation to reduce demand and prevent wildlife violations.
