Madhya Pradesh Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) hailed by Interpol for the arrest of Asia's major tiger trafficker
BHOPAL: In a significant recognition of India's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, Interpol has praised the Madhya Pradesh Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) for the arrest and successful prosecution of notorious international tiger trafficker Tashi Sherpa.
Sherpa, an alleged key figure in a transnational poaching syndicate operating across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, was arrested in 2024 following years of coordinated intelligence efforts. He was prosecuted in May 2025, marking a major milestone in the global fight against wildlife crime, say officials.
The commendation came in an official letter from David Caunter, Director Pro Tempore, Organized and Emerging Crime, Interpol, who acknowledged the Madhya Pradesh team's long-standing efforts.
"INTERPOL would like to congratulate the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Task Force on the arrest of well-known international tiger trafficker Tashi Sherpa in 2024, and his successful prosecution last month, May 2025," Caunter wrote.
Sherpa had been on Interpol’s radar since 2015 when he was first identified as a major trafficker by Madhya Pradesh officials. Interpol subsequently issued a diffusion notice against him and facilitated annual coordination meetings between Indian and Nepalese agencies.
"His arrest in cooperation with Nepal, and his successful prosecution by your team marks a great success in the fight against transnational wildlife crime," the letter stated.
Interpol has now offered further support to help dismantle the wider criminal network connected to Sherpa, which is believed to still be active in the region. The agency has requested additional data from Indian authorities — including Sherpa’s phone records, financial transactions, and details of associates — to aid global investigations.
"Analysis of information from the Sherpa investigation could provide better understanding of the operation of the network and enable the positive identification and/or location of other outstanding targets," Caunter added.
Tashi Sherpa’s conviction is being viewed as a landmark victory in India's conservation enforcement efforts and highlights the growing international cooperation to curb illegal wildlife trade, say officials. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has also lauded the efforts and said that the officers concerned would be awarded for thier efforts.
Sherpa, an alleged key figure in a transnational poaching syndicate operating across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, was arrested in 2024 following years of coordinated intelligence efforts. He was prosecuted in May 2025, marking a major milestone in the global fight against wildlife crime, say officials.
The commendation came in an official letter from David Caunter, Director Pro Tempore, Organized and Emerging Crime, Interpol, who acknowledged the Madhya Pradesh team's long-standing efforts.
"INTERPOL would like to congratulate the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Task Force on the arrest of well-known international tiger trafficker Tashi Sherpa in 2024, and his successful prosecution last month, May 2025," Caunter wrote.
Sherpa had been on Interpol’s radar since 2015 when he was first identified as a major trafficker by Madhya Pradesh officials. Interpol subsequently issued a diffusion notice against him and facilitated annual coordination meetings between Indian and Nepalese agencies.
"His arrest in cooperation with Nepal, and his successful prosecution by your team marks a great success in the fight against transnational wildlife crime," the letter stated.
Interpol has now offered further support to help dismantle the wider criminal network connected to Sherpa, which is believed to still be active in the region. The agency has requested additional data from Indian authorities — including Sherpa’s phone records, financial transactions, and details of associates — to aid global investigations.
"Analysis of information from the Sherpa investigation could provide better understanding of the operation of the network and enable the positive identification and/or location of other outstanding targets," Caunter added.
Tashi Sherpa’s conviction is being viewed as a landmark victory in India's conservation enforcement efforts and highlights the growing international cooperation to curb illegal wildlife trade, say officials. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has also lauded the efforts and said that the officers concerned would be awarded for thier efforts.
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