WILDLEX

In October 2019, the agents of the Ogoué-Ivindo research branch were informed that an individual was holding the ivory trophies he wished to sell, for this purpose an investigation was opened and led to the arrest of Moukambi François, found in possession of four pieces of ivory weighing 19.3 kg.

In November 2020, judicial police agents were informed that an individual was in possession of ivory tusks that he intended to sell. An investigation was opened that led to the arrest of MOUKAGNA PANGO Emerson Necker found in possession of six ivory tusks cut into 13 pieces of 10 kgs while he was in a hotel room, the place of the transaction.

During September 2020, the named MOKOKO Bernard was approached by a friend, who made him understand that he knew someone who needed to buy ivory tusks. While he had two tusks of 6 kg, he got closer to ANGOUO Appolinaire who was providing him with two ivory tusks of 5 kg and MBONGOMBE Jean who also had two tusks of 7 kg.

On 14 November2012 in Libreville, AMOUGOU Maurice Magloire and GUEYE MOR MATY were caught red handed by Water and Forests and counter-intelligence agents transporting ivory tusks in a hotel and arrested. GUEYE MOR MATY recognized to have kept 29 kg in his house before offering them for sale to AMOUGOU.

During October and November in Gamba, Diakite Oumar received a phone call from one known as Traore who wanted to purchase ivory. Diakite then contacted several hunters from whom he purchased 47.8kg of ivory. He then went to Libreville with the products to sell them.

In February 2020 at Cocobeach, while he was at his house ETOUGHE NGUEMA Philibert BEKALE was approached by ENGONE Jean who offered to sale him two ivory tusks removed from an elephant carcass in a state of decay.

Nguiamoussangou killed one elephant and removed the two tusks that he kept for ten days. Later on Lemy went to his house to collect the tusks for sale. Informed of the illegal transaction, an undercovered agent offered to buy the tusks and it is at this moment that both were arrested.

The accused were charged with various counts in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (“POCA”). The court was presented with evidence which led to the accused’s’ arrest. During the trial, it became apparent that there was an informer who was working for the Scorpions and was gathering information of the crime syndicate.

The court considered an appeal against the sentenced imposed on the appellants on the basis that they are shockingly inappropriate and out of kilter with other cases and that the court below didn’t take into account their personal circumstances.

On 17 – 18 June 2016 at Bucklands Farm, in the district of Albany, in the course of which a white rhino known as Cambell, belonging to one Ian Steward, was darted with a tranquilizer gun and its horn removed, resulting in the death of the rhino. The police were working on Operation Full Moon as Rhino poaching was rife.