The illegal trade in wildlife is thought to be worth at least $19bn a year. The US State Department says trafficking not only undermines conservation, it also threatens the rule of law and is a risk to global health. Anson Wong is an internationally recognized "face" of the trade; the 'Pablo Escobar' of animal trafficking. Was captured after a 5-year elaborative investigation, which became a best-selling book “The Lizard King” Wong was finally convicted for smuggling endangered species and sentenced to 71 months in prison. The ease of buying endangered species underlines how despite 40 years of efforts by the international community to combat wildlife trafficking, poachers and smugglers continue to get away with their crimes, aided in large part by officials in various countries.
