Stan Shebs / Wikimedia
Catos copiapoa
The case unveiled a huge international trade trafficking network of the Atacama Desert and carried an important conviction in the field of biodiversity crimes.
An investigation of years on the Illicit trade of Chilean Catos Rare resulted in a historical condemnation and created a precedent for biodiversity crimes.
At the center of the case is the Italian collector Andrea Piombetti, whose illegal activities in the Atacama Desert has raised concerns about the vulnerability of rare species of plants and the growing threat of environmental stealing hunting.
The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, may seem inhospitable to life, but it is the home of Milhares of Catos copiapoaa group of over 30 species found only in Chile. These succulent slow growth plants, which develop absorbing the moisture of the region’s single coastal fog, became much sought after by plant collectors.
Among those captivated by its beauty and rarity was Piombetti, an enthusiast of Italian plants and merchant known in the collectors’ circles for his deep knowledge of Catos. His presence on social networks sported titles such as “The King of Pirates of Catos
Authorities began to suspect Piombetti in 2013, when Customs at Milano Malpensa airport intercepted a Charging of 143 Catos With counterfeit phytosanitary documents, destined to his residence in Senigallia, Ancona. A subsequent search for your home and a neighboring property discovered more rare caution boxes, says.
Despite the evidence that the plants had been illegally torn from Chile, the process was Filed by prescription. The Italian authorities believed that Piombetti had ceased their activities – until a 2020 search at their home proved otherwise.
In February 2020, the Italian police again visited Piombetti’s house, following reports that it had of a local nursery. Initially resistant to let the authorities enter, Piombetti eventually gave in, which led to a shocking discovery: more than 1000 Catos Copiapoa were hidden on his porch and inside a locked room. Many of these plants had centuries of age.
Subsequent investigations revealed a sophisticated smuggling network. Piombetti’s records pointed to a nearby accomplice, Mattia Crescentini, as well as 10 other traders and several buyers worldwide. Accounts on social networks and online auction platforms were used to facilitate trade, having a Japanese buyer allegedly sent to Piombetti monthly payments of 2500 euros.
The total value of the stolen plants was estimated in more than one million euroswhat makes this one of the largest illegal operations of cacti never discovered in Europe. Forensic soil analysis confirmed that about 1000 cactus Copypoa had been extracted directly from the Atacama Desert, while other hundreds had been cultivated from illegally harvested seeds.
The impact of judgment
So -called Operation Atacamathe case led to a five -year legal battle which ended in January 2025. Unlike crimes against previous biodiversity, this trial produced several innovative results.
On January 31, 2025, an Italian court sentenced Piombetti to 18 months in prison and applied a fine of 25,000 euros. Crescentini was sentenced to a 12 -month penalty and a fine of 18,000 euros. The sentence, published on February 14, gave the defendants 30 days to appeal.
In addition to these penalties, the court also condemned them to pay an additional civil compensation of 20 000 euros to Association for biodiversity and its conservation (ABC), an Italian conservation organization. This was an important legal precedent, since the Court acknowledged that the crimes committed by Piombetti were not only violations of commercial regulations, but also offenses against nature itself.
“This is a big step forward,” said conservationist Andrea Cattabriga, who witnessed in the case. “We are giving plants a right
One of the most significant achievements was the repatriation of more than 840 catos stolen to Chile. Conservation expert Barbara Goettsch, who played a key role in this effort, emphasized the importance of returning plants to her home country. “It’s about Biodiversity Heritage And it should return to Chile, ”he said.
Although plants survived their international trip, they could not be reintroduced in nature, as their exact points of origin were unknown. Instead, they were placed in a specialized greenhouse In the Atacama Desert, managed by the Chilean National Forest Corporation (Conaf). Later, reports emerged suggesting that some of the plants had disappeared, but Conaf has not yet commented on the situation.
In addition, the case inspired Chilean conservationists to develop the first Action Plan for Copypoa Conservationwhose publication is scheduled for March 2025. This initiative aims to protect the remaining wild populations of these rare cautions against illegal hunting and environmental threats.
