An article by Al Jazeera reports that ongoing conflict relevant to natural gas reserves in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province has had dramatic repercussions on civilians. The discovery of natural gas reserves off Cabo Delgado's coast in 2009 by Texas-based Anadarko was initially believed to have the possibility to create local opportunity and economic prosperity. However, when TotalEnergies and its partners invested $20 billion in developing these resources local communities were, in reality, faced with displacement and the clearing of vast lands for infrastructure. In 2021, the project was suspended due to escalating violence by a local armed group known as al-Shabab. This group's violent campaign since 2017 has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and the displacement of a million people. To protect the liquified natural gas (LNG) project, Mozambican and international troops were deployed, leading to allegations of abuses against civilians. Displaced residents of Quitunda and other areas have reported raids, arrests, and violence perpetrated by soldiers. Hunger and lack of compensation for lost farmland and homes have left many in desperate conditions. Promises of improved living conditions have largely gone unfulfilled, causing hardship amongst the affected populations.

In Mozambique, illegal mining and associated financial crimes are becoming significant issues, with the mining sector increasingly exploited for money laundering and terrorism financing. Criminals involved in the illicit extraction of resources like gold and gemstones use fraudulent invoices, unregulated trade routes, and complex laundering schemes to legitimise their profits. This activity fuels organised crime and supports extremist groups, notably in conflict-prone areas such as Cabo Delgado. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is actively working to counter these trends in Mozambique. Efforts include training local law enforcement and financial institutions to identify and combat illicit financial flows linked to mining. The UNODC promotes regional cooperation to bolster regulatory frameworks and improve intelligence sharing. These measures aim to curtail the illegal exploitation of Mozambique's rich mineral resources, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure that the benefits of mining contribute to sustainable development and economic stability.

Timber smuggling from Mozambique's ancient forests to China, valued at $23 million annually, finances a brutal Islamist insurgency and supports a vast criminal network in northern Mozambique. This illicit rosewood trade, particularly from the threatened species pau preto, is linked to the Islamic State-affiliated militants in Cabo Delgado province. Despite international treaties restricting rosewood trade, a four-year investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) exposed rampant illegal logging, corruption, and poor management of forest concessions. The insurgents exploit the trade to raise an estimated $1.9 million monthly, even collecting a 10% protection fee from firms for illegal logging. The rosewood, prized in China for luxury furniture, is often transported illegally and in raw log form, violating Mozambique's 2017 law against unprocessed timber export. The EIA's findings reveal extensive smuggling networks and inadequate enforcement, contributing to ongoing violence and significant deforestation in Mozambique, exacerbating the region's instability and environmental degradation.

The case of Mexico's avocado industry offers a compelling example of how economic opportunities can intertwine with illicit activities. Mexico is the largest supplier of avocados to the US, earning the fruit the moniker "green gold." Michoacán, a major avocado-growing region, has seen extensive deforestation, land conversion, and water scarcity as forests are cleared to make way for profitable avocado farms. The local government's Forest Guardian initiative identified 817 illegal avocado orchards, highlighting the scale of the problem. These illegal orchards came under scrutiny from the US ambassador to Mexico in early 2024, Ken Salazar, as he highlighted the need for stringent traceability measures to combat the export of avocados from illegal orchards to the US. The avocado trade from Mexico to the US has experienced significant growth, increasing from 121,600 metric tons in 2019 to approximately 135,000 in 2022. According to Climate Rights International (CRI), four out of five avocados consumed in the United States are imported from Mexico. This surge in demand has led to the widespread establishment of the illegal avocado orchards previously mentioned, often at the expense of the environment and local communities. The lucrative nature of the avocado trade has continued to attract the attention of organised crime cartels, which have diversified their activities over the years. For instance, cartels in the region have infiltrated the avocado trade, imposing "protection" fees on farmers, and their activities include illegal logging, extortion, kidnapping, arms trafficking and even murder. The profits from these activities are used to finance their broader criminal operations, embedding the avocado trade within a network of illicit financial flows.

According to the Star, the government of the Malaysian state of Sabah is pursuing taxes owed by companies involved in the evasion of the crude palm oil sales tax. In collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the government has introduced a voluntary scheme allowing companies to pay their taxes by the end of 2023 without penalty. One notable case of tax evasion involved a former public servant arrested in May 2022 for allegedly evading millions of ringgit in crude palm oil sales tax. The suspect was detained following the arrests of two state government officials. These officials were implicated in receiving RM700,000 (approximately US$154,000) in bribes from a palm oil mill in Lahad Datu. The bribes were reportedly given to overlook the falsification of crude palm oil production quantities, resulting in an estimated tax evasion of RM2 million (approximately US$440,000) per month since 2015.

A report by Global Initiative details the many labour rights violations related to child labour, forced labour and discriminatory practices in Chihuahua, Mexico's forestry sector. In Chihuahua, organised crime groups, including drug cartels, forcibly recruit individuals, particularly young people, for illegal activities, including illegal logging.These workers endure exploitative conditions that include involuntary work, forced overtime, and hazardous environments. Organised crime groups exert control over them through threats, violence, and drug addiction, fostering a climate of coercion. In addition, child labour is prevalent in Chihuahua's forestry sector, particularly in rural areas where children often work alongside their parents to supplement family income. Children engaged in forestry work are exposed to dangerous work conditions, including handling heavy loads, exposure to sawdust, and working with machinery. Systemic discrimination against indigenous people and women is widespread in the sector. Indigenous workers are often paid less, subjected to the most dangerous tasks, and excluded from leadership positions. Women, particularly indigenous women, face significant barriers to employment in logging and sawmill operations.

The article titled "Are Mexican Avocados The Next 'Conflict Commodity'?" published on The Guardian, discusses the dark side of the booming avocado industry in Mexico. The industry, which is a multibillion-dollar one for Mexico, the world's largest producer, has attracted the attention of organised crime groups due to its profitability. These groups engage in both extortion and direct cultivation, usually on lands taken over from local farmers or carved out from protected woodlands. The state of Michoacán, a long-standing hotbed for criminal violence, is particularly affected. The article draws parallels between the avocado industry and conflict minerals, highlighting the increasing risk of association with killings, modern slavery, child labour, and environmental degradation when dealing with Michoacán suppliers and growers. The article also mentions the rise in violence due to turf wars among more than 12 criminal groups, including the notoriously violent Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, fighting for control over the avocado-producing regions and transport routes.

A report by Global Initiative details the shift in crime from drug cultivation to illegal logging in the Sierra Tarahumara region of Chihuahua, Mexico, due to decreased demand for opium gum. Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) began heavily involving themselves in illegal logging around 2014-2015. DTOs can earn between MXN 50,000-70,000 per night from illegal logging, exploiting workers under threats of violence. Local mafias were also involved in this shift, albeit operating on a smaller scale compared to DTOs and rarely resorting to violence. They control logging operations, sawmills, and transportation, often involving familial clans. DTOs, on the other hand, engage in a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and extreme acts of violence, including massacres and beheadings. Indigenous communities and environmental activists are heavily impacted by such threats and violence. They face displacement due to violence and land grabs by criminal groups. In addition, illegal logging and the cultivation of illicit crops contribute to significant deforestation. Finally, criminal groups use bribes and threats to secure cooperation from authorities. Local institutions often lack the resources and capacity to effectively combat organised crime.

According to Mongabay, the expansion of the soy industry in Hopelchén, Campeche, Mexico has led to devastating levels of deforestation of the Mayan jungle over the past two decades. The region lost at least 153,809 hectares of tree cover, driven by the rise of industrial agriculture and land privatisation. Despite the lack of official authorisation for deforestation, satellite images reveal extensive illegal clearing, primarily by Mennonite colonies, who have transformed vast forest areas into soy fields since 2004. This illegal deforestation has led to severe environmental degradation, including loss of biodiversity and disruption of local ecosystems. In addition, government policies and subsidies, such as those for productive conversion and contract agriculture, have further incentivised soy cultivation, notably by large-scale producers, at the expense of traditional corn farming and forest preservation. The unregulated deforestation has also affected the livelihoods of local communities, particularly beekeepers. Their income and way of life depend on the forest. However, the intensive use of pesticides associated with soy cultivation has led to significant bee deaths, triggering legal battles and community resistance. The devastation in Hopelchén is mirrored in other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, with similar patterns of deforestation observed in municipalities like Tizimín and Bacalar.

According to InSight Crime, drug cartels in Mexico have expanded their activities into illegal logging, particularly in the forested areas of Chihuahua. This area is a significant part of the drug trafficking corridor known as the Golden Triangle. This growing overlap between illegal logging and drug trafficking is severely affecting Indigenous communities, especially the Tarahumara. The report cites a case where individuals were forced off their land by armed groups, highlighting the dangers faced by those opposing illegal logging. The cartel has become actively involved in illegal logging to clear land for poppy cultivation, pushing inhabitants off their ancestral lands. The situation in Chihuahua is exacerbated by widespread violence and corruption, with drug cartels, competing over the control over both drug and illegal timber routes. This violence has led to high homicide rates, with criminal groups targeting anyone opposing their activities. In addition, the article details the methods used by cartels to control the illegal timber trade, including extortion and violent takeovers of sawmills. In the town of San Juanito, a hub for wood trafficking, drug cartels have infiltrated the industry, forcing sawmills to process illegally sourced wood and laundering it into the legal supply chain.

Javier Duarte, former governor of Veracruz, Mexico, is implicated in a scheme where cattle ranching was used to launder money embezzled from public funds. An investigation by Animal Político found Duarte and his network purchased expensive cattle and large ranches, using them to clean hundreds of millions of pesos. This process allowed them to integrate illicit funds into the legitimate economy by taking advantage of the agricultural sector's cash-based transactions and lax oversight. Duarte, who governed from 2010 to 2016, had previously been convicted in 2018 for criminal association and money laundering, receiving a nine-year prison sentence. His case underscores the vulnerability of agriculture, especially cattle ranching, to financial crimes in Mexico. The revelations reflect ongoing difficulties in curbing corruption and organised crime, which increasingly infiltrate legitimate businesses to obscure the origins of illicit profits.

A report by The Vibes explains how Seputeh MP Teresa Kok raised concerns about alleged improprieties in the proposed sale and lease of land owned by the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB). Kok, the predecessor of the current Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali, criticised the lifting of a moratorium on the sale and development of MRB real estate, which she had imposed. The alleged lifting of this moratorium by Datuk Khairuddin Aman Razali, without proper justification, raises questions about the legality and motivation behind this action. Indeed, the sale and lease of these lands appears suspicious, since both transactions value the land below market value. This substantial undervaluation could be seen as potentially causing financial loss to the state for private gain, by selling public assets at undervalued prices. This also raises concerns about the potential for corruption. The involvement of a foundation related to PAS, the Islamic political party in Malaysia, and the below-market rates suggest possible favouritism or cronyism, where decisions may be being made to benefit certain individuals. In addition, the transactions allegedly bypassed required approvals and proper procedures. The absence of such approvals and the subsequent denials by MRB point to a lack of transparency and accountability.

According to InSight Crime, drug cartels in Mexico have expanded their activities into illegal logging, particularly in the forested areas of Chihuahua. This area is a significant part of the drug trafficking corridor known as the Golden Triangle. This growing overlap between illegal logging and drug trafficking is severely affecting Indigenous communities, especially the Tarahumara. The report cites a case where individuals were forced off their land by armed groups, highlighting the dangers faced by those opposing illegal logging. The cartel has become actively involved in illegal logging to clear land for poppy cultivation, pushing inhabitants off their ancestral lands. The situation in Chihuahua is exacerbated by widespread violence and corruption, with drug cartels, competing over the control over both drug and illegal timber routes. This violence has led to high homicide rates, with criminal groups targeting anyone opposing their activities. In addition, the article details the methods used by cartels to control the illegal timber trade, including extortion and violent takeovers of sawmills. In the town of San Juanito, a hub for wood trafficking, drug cartels have infiltrated the industry, forcing sawmills to process illegally sourced wood and laundering it into the legal supply chain.

According to a 2024 article by Euractiv, there are significant issues raised by the amount of used cooking oil (UCO) imported by the UK and Ireland from Malaysia. Under EU rules, biofuels made from waste materials, including UCO, can be double counted towards renewable energy targets, which has incentivised producers to label palm oil (which is cheaper) as UCO and to charge more for it. Ireland, in particular, is heavily reliant on biofuels to decarbonise its transport system. The discrepancies between collected and imported UCO has raised concerns of biofuel fraud. Indeed, Malaysia has reported collecting 48-71 kilotonnes of UCO annually, while British and Irish authorities show 151 million litres of UCO imported from Malaysia in 2020. This troubling discrepancy suggests that substances such as palm oil, which are restricted in the EU, might be fraudulently labelled as UCO. Observing such gaps between export and import data, the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT) and Farm Europe have indicated potential fraud. To combat this issue, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) has indicated support for the creation of a biofuels database to improve traceability. Meanwhile, the Irish government has set up a working group to address biofuel sustainability and potential fraud.

According to a report by Mongabay, the illegal expansion of palm oil production in Mexico, particularly in the areas Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, and Veracruz, has led to significant deforestation. Between 2014 and 2019, at least 5,400 hectares of forests and jungle were lost due to oil palm cultivation. Now, the plantations are beginning to encroach on protected areas, such as the La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve. During the 1990s, Mexican state programmes promoted palm oil cultivation, emphasising its superior economic benefits. This has pushed farmers towards the commodity, which has been very profitable for local communities. But now, research indicates that oil palm plantations have replaced not only cattle pastures and agricultural lands but also young forests and high jungle areas. Significant deforestation has been detected in municipalities like Benemérito de las Américas, Marqués de Comillas, Palenque, and Salto de Agua, and has affected critical ecosystems. As major companies begin to expand beyond permit areas, acquisition is becoming increasingly illegal, sometimes carried out without proper authorisation for land-use changes.

An investigation by the Associated Press revealed that human rights abuses, including slavery and rape, as well as child labour are prevalent in Malaysia's palm oil industry. The investigation documents widespread labour abuses, including forced labour, debt bondage, child labour and sexual harassment. Workers live in poor conditions and work long hours for minimal pay. Human rights violations also include physical violence and lack of medical care. In the face of such abuses, workers are unable to escape their situation of exploitation since they are hired on a day-to-day basis by subcontractors, and their passports are confiscated. In addition, women face sexual harassment and rape, with some cases involving minors. The Associated Press documents the case of a 16-year-old girl who was raped by her boss and threatened with an axe. Women perform the most difficult jobs, working in hazardous conditions and carrying heavy loads. This can cause long-term health issues, including collapsed wombs and miscarriages, that are left untreated. Major Western banks, financial institutions and brands have been linked to these abusive supply chains.

Despite international trade restrictions, illegally sourced Madagascar rosewood is being trafficked into Kenya. In one case from 2014, 34 containers of timber arrived at the Kenyan port of Mombasa from Madagascar heading to Hong Kong. While the timber arrived with a Certificate of Origin issued by the Madagascar Ministry of Forestry and Environment certifying the shipment as ordinary timber, the Kenyan Wildlife Service suspected the shipment contained Malagasy rosewood, namely Dalbergia - a protected species regulated by international trade. Since the 1990s, the species has been threatened due to unsustainable exploitation of the wood. The production of high-quality items such as furniture and musical instruments has led to increased consumer demand for Malagasy rosewood, particularly in China. Due to this, Madagascar made all trade in rosewood illegal in 2010, and the wood is listed on the CITES (the global convention which governs the legality of international wildlife trade), meaning the wood can only be traded with a special permit.

Madagascar has made significant strides in combating child labour, particularly in mica mining, where around 10,000 children are involved. Through the U.S. Department of Labor's "Combating Child Labour in Madagascar's Mica-Producing Communities" project, the country has implemented effective interventions to address this issue. These efforts focus on improving educational opportunities, enhancing community awareness, and promoting better working conditions. Key achievements include the establishment of child protection committees, community schools, and vocational training programs that offer alternatives to child labor. The project has also provided school kits and financial support to families, helping reduce the economic need for child labor. Moreover, collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders has strengthened the enforcement of labour laws and improved the monitoring of mica production sites. These comprehensive measures contribute to reducing child labour and fostering safer, more sustainable mica production practices.

According to Sky News, extensive illegal mining has transformed the shores of Lake Alaotra, in northern central Madagascar. The forest that once covered this area has been almost entirely replaced by mining shafts and mounds of rubble. Searching for precious gems, thousands of workers have settled in the area, and work in dangerous conditions to fight their economic situations, often defined by extreme poverty. The United Nations has warned that Madagascar is on the brink of the world's first climate-induced famine, with failed crops and dried rivers leading to widespread hunger. In addition, the conditions miners work in are highly dangerous. Safety measures and the equipment used are inadequate, creating hazardous conditions. Despite Madagascar's government signing agreements to stop deforestation, the implementation on the ground remains weak. The island, rich in natural resources like beryl, rubies, and sapphires, remains one of the poorest countries globally.

Approximately 360,000 children, or 33% of those aged between 5 and 15, work in Liberia, primarily in agriculture. A significant number are engaged in the production of rubber on smallholder farms and large-scale plantations, often in dangerous conditions and at the expense of their education. According to the United States Department of Labour, major contributing factors to child labour in Liberia's rubber sector include household poverty, the existence of worker quota production systems, the high cost of adult labour, a lack of awareness, limited access to education, and limited inspection and enforcement of labour standards. The "Actions to Reduce Child Labor (ARCH)" project was implemented in Liberia from December 2012 to April 2017, The project targeted 10,100 children engaged in or at risk of entering exploitative child labour in Liberia, with a focus on the rubber sector. In addition, the project targeted 3,700 vulnerable households for sustainable livelihoods promotion. The project operated in the counties of Montserrado, Margibi, and Nimba. By the end of the project in March 2017, it had provided education services to 10,126 children and livelihood services to 3,700 households.

Chinese national Gao Feng has been indicted by Liberian authorities for leading a large-scale illegal mining operation, depriving the Liberian government of over US$29 million in revenue. The indictment accuses Gao Feng and several associates of economic sabotage, tax evasion, and criminal conspiracy. In response to complaints, the Ministry of Mines and Energy launched investigations, resulting in raids on Gao Feng's mining sites. While seven associates were apprehended, Gao Feng and many others managed to escape. A writ of arrest has been issued alongside a travel ban to prevent them from fleeing the country. However, the case faces challenges due to alleged corruption and interference from some government officials. Illegal mining has had a devastating impact on Liberia's environment and economy, with unregulated mining practices leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.

The article titled "More Evidence Emerges FDA Permitted Illegal Timber Export" published by 'The DayLight' reveals that the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) of Liberia permitted the West Water Group to export 797 logs in March 2024, over half of which were illegally harvested. The FDA's log-tracking computer, LiberTrace, had red-flagged 413 logs in West Water's consignment due to multiple issues, but the FDA ignored these warnings and approved the shipment. The FDA dismissed The DayLight's initial investigation of the illegal export as an "intentional misinterpretation" of the facts. However, The DayLight traced some of the illegal logs back to the stumps of the trees from which they were harvested, supporting LiberTrace's findings. A relook at the LiberTrace analysis found several discrepancies, indicating a cover-up. Last year, West Water did not have a valid harvesting certificate, according to FDA's records._The illegal approval reduced government taxes on the logs and encouraged unsustainable logging and impunity.

Indonesian palm oil is a significant import for the US (with 2022 imports of palm oil being valued at $1.9 billion), and is used in various U.S industries from food production to cosmetics. Indonesia has been identified as the largest source of deforestation exposure for US imports for the period October 2021 to November 2023, with oil palm accounting for 96.7% of this exposure. This exposure is linked to the fact that the expansion of palm oil plantations in Indonesia to meet global demand has led to massive forest loss, as forest areas are cleared to make way for production. US palm oil imports are inextricably linked to the palm oil industry in Indonesia, which is characterised by widespread corruption and bribery, and there is a general lack of transparency in palm oil companies' political activities and how they can interfere with government policies. Notably, high-profile cases such as that of palm oil tycoon Darmadi highlight how corruption facilitates illegal land conversion and deforestation. Damardi was sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribing officials to convert protected forests into palm oil plantations, resulting in substantial environmental damage. The production of palm oil in Indonesia is also associated with exploitative labour conditions and human rights abuses. Workers on plantations often endure poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of job security. Indigenous communities, such as the Ibans and Orang Rimbas,_ face land dispossession and livelihood disruptions due to the expansion of palm oil plantations.

In 2023, Kenya's Western Regional Mining Officer suspended gold mining in Vihiga County due to increased illicit activities and violent disputes. The region is believed to contain immense gold deposits and foreign companies have been condemned for attempting to mine without proper licences or work permits. In addition, unlicensed firms have been found posing as artisanal miners in order to evade taxes. This has caused a significant loss of revenue for the Kenyan government, subsequently prompting the suspension of all activity. This comes after six Chinese nationals were arrested for illegal mining activities, including operating without the necessary licences and work permits required. The area has been declared a conflict zone, and the moratorium is said to remain in place until all mining operations comply with legal regulations. Local leaders and residents have been urged to support the enforcement to restore order and legal compliance in the mining sector.

Mongabay reports that Indonesian prosecutors have charged three major palm oil companies, Permata Hijau Group, Wilmar Nabati Indonesia, and Musim Mas, with corruption related to a cooking oil shortage in 2022. It was revealed that executives from these companies had bribed a trade ministry official to secure export permits for their crude palm oil. These permits allowed the companies to bypass the government-imposed domestic market obligation (DMO) and domestic price obligation (DPO). The DMO required companies to allocate a certain quota of palm oil for the domestic market to ensure supply during the shortage. The DPO capped the selling price of palm oil domestically to keep it affordable for consumers. Overall, the company's fraudulent behaviour allowed them to sell palm oil abroad at higher prices rather than adhering to domestic price caps and quotas intended to address the shortage. This corruption caused state losses estimated at 6.47 trillion rupiah ($432 million). The executives and the official have already been convicted and jailed, with sentences recently extended.