Prince William.Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Prince Williamis weighing in on a 63-month sentence handed down to a man who trafficked millions of dollars in rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory, calling the decision a “significant victory.”
On Thursday, Moazu Kromah, 49, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for poaching the two endangered wildlife species, the U.S. States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New Yorkannounced.
Praising the decision,Prince William, 40, says, “Today’s sentencing demonstrates both what is possible when a coordinated international response is brought to bear against the illegal wildlife trade, and why it is essential,” in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
He says the outcome serves as “further proof that we have the tools to combat this insidious crime and is testament to the power of international collaboration.”
“Thanks to their perseverance, hundreds of endangered animals and the communities that live alongside them have been protected, sending the strongest possible message that together we can defeat the illegal wildlife trade.”
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On June 3, 2019, Kromah was taken into custody in Uganda and sent to the U.S. He has been detained since then, per the State’s Attorney’s office. He and his associates were later charged with conspiracy to traffic rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory, which are together worth more than $7 million. Thirty-five rhinos and 100 elephants were smuggled in the scandal, which began in December 2012 and ended around May 2019.
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The case’s turning point came after authorities intercepted a package with a black rhinoceros horn that the defendants had sold to a buyer in Manhattan, the State’s Attorney said.
Kromah entered a guilty plea on March 30 to one count of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking and two counts of wildlife trafficking.
Dozens of international organizations and law enforcement agencies joined forces to nab Kromah, with involvement fromPrince William’s UfW, a release shared with PEOPLE says. Members of endangered species charity worked with transportation taskforces and global financial initiatives to report evidence in the case.
UfW has been working since 2016 to fight the illegal act of trading wildlife. It’s the fourth largest illegal trading industry in the world and profits approximately $23 billion a year.
source: people.com
