An Irish crime gang has been identified as a significant player in the theft and illegal trade of rhino horn.
Depending on the size and quality of the specimen, a rhino horn can be worth between €25,000 and €200,000.
In a statement this afternoon, Europol it said it had identified an 'Irish and ethnically-Irish' organised criminal group who had used intimidation and violence to obtain and sell the rhino horn.
The group, it said, had targetted antique dealers, auction houses, art galleries, museums, private collections and zoos, resorting in theft and aggravated burglary to acquire the horns.
They have also exploited international auction houses in the UK, France, the US and China to sell the horns.
Europol also believes the group are involved in a variety of other serious crimes across the EU such as drugs trafficking, organised robbery, distribution of counterfeit products, tarmac fraud and money laundering.
Europol and An Garda Síochána have drawn up a series of recommendations for EU countries.
They have alerted potential targets with rhino horn of possible visits to defraud or attack them for their specimens and have warned the general public and other law enforcement authorities.
