On the night of 27 July 2016, the accused Zakari Daouda Ayatou was intercepted by the conservation service of the Dja Biosphere reserve, in his car driving towards the town of Sangmélima, attempting to smuggle out 14 Ivory tusks. He confessed ownership of the said ivories during interrogation. At the close of the interrogation, he was transmitted before the State Attorney for prosecution together with the seized ivories as exhibits.