Messiong Jean Marie was in possession of a hunting rifle of the 458 type with which he wanted to go big game hunting. Discouraged by the regular patrols of the rangers, he sold the gun to Meniamedel Jean Sylvain, a Gabonese living in Mazingo, who promised to give him the money within a short time. Six months later, Meniamedel still had not kept his promise, and Messiong sent him a man known as Garba Adamo. Meniamedel gave Garba six ivory tusks. Zoa Alfred, in turn, was arrested by eco-guards on 08 July 2013 while he was in his camp. Previously, Meniamedel had accused Zola Alfred of also being in possession of ivory tusks, which he said he had picked up during a fishing trip and kept to sell in due course.