Corruption risks in the supply of
non-human primates for clinical testing

The demand for long-tailed macaques in biomedical research, heightened by COVID-19, poses a threat to their conservation. Despite claims of captive breeding, unregulated trade from Southeast Asia endangers wild populations, with increasing threats from hunting, trapping, and illicit trade. The illegal laundering of wild-caught animals into supply chains compromises research integrity and introduces unknown diseases.

The primate trade faces a rising threat of criminal activities due to a shortage of primates for clinical testing. Criminals may exploit CITES permits, tempting officials into corruption. The report suggests five recommendations for financial institutions to look out for when identifying corruption linked to crimes against wild species:

1. Examine payments and political donations: CITES officials, while not universally implicated, pose a specific corruption risk as gatekeepers in a lucrative trade.
2. Question round figure payments: Despite being an aged anti-money laundering (AML) recommendation, its relevance persists, as seen in the case in this report!
3. Monitor use of cash compared to other businesses of a similar profile and scale.
4. Prevalence of import-export and logistics companies: International trade companies, such as import-export, logistics, and travel agencies, may be linked to wildlife trafficking. They may unknowingly or knowingly move animals, their products, or parts, and could serve as front companies for laundering illicit proceeds.
5. Transactions referencing wildlife-associated care or equipment: Illicit wildlife traffickers conduct transactions for enclosures, equipment, and veterinary services. Transactions tied to medical or pharmaceutical research may indicate animals trafficked for these purposes.

Explore more advice for financial institutions to identify corruption linked to wildlife crime.