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| Ebolowa ivory traffickers arrested |
Two people were arrested in Ebolowa during
a crackdown carried out in Ebolowa by the South Regional Delegation of Forestry
and wildlife. The first suspect, a 50-year-old man was arrested as he attempted
to sell two elephant tusks that had been carved into art objects alongside
several other ivory statuettes. Investigations by law enforcement officials
continued when they realized that he was not alone in the deal. This enabled
the arrest of a second suspect, a 61-year- old man who is considered to be the
supplier of raw ivory tusks to the first trafficker who is also a carver.
The
arrests that were carried out with the gendarmerie is the fourth operation
involving traffickers of carved ivory, that has been done by wildlife officials
within two weeks in different towns including Dschang, Melong and Yaounde. The operations fall within the framework of
government’s drive to track and arrest traffickers of protected wildlife
species within the country and this is done with technical assistance from The
Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA).
The
two suspects have a long standing relationship in trafficking and have been
collaborating to successfully grow a flourishing ivory business according to
prior investigations. One of the traffickers owns a restaurant where they
receive clients including traffickers for business discussions and curiously
enough at the time of his arrest, an ivory statuette was visible in the
restaurant. This may have served as an ad slot for the traffickers or a lead to
inform potential traffickers of another
business ongoing at the restaurant. Sources contacted that spoke on condition
of anonymity were baffled at such a high level of exposure without taking
necessary concealment measures known to be of prime importance to ivory
traffickers. The relationship had been very fruitful up to their arrest the
same sources say.
They
two are presently held in custody in Ebolowa
and the first hearing of the case took place at the Court of First
Instance on November 15, 2016 with both suspects present in court. The
magistrate handling the matter adjourned to November 22, 2016. If found guilty
they both face up to 3 years imprisonment and or a fine of up to 10 million
francs. The 1994 wildlife law governing the sector stipulates that if found in
possession of a part of a protected wildlife species you are presumed to have
killed the animal. The legal department is playing a major role in the
prosecution of wildlife cases in the country and the judiciary in Ebolowa has
been collaborating in the effective arrest and prosecution of the suspected
ivory traffickers.
The
illegal sale of ivory and carved objects in towns is part of a macabre chain of
events which start with poachers killing elephants in the forest and ecoguards
trying to stop them. Since the BoubaNdjida massacre in 2012.in the North of the
country government has equally involved the military to fight this crime. The
enormity of the tasks is serious and governments seem not to be able to do it
alone. While the support offered by the community is necessary and essential,
it must be cultivated and exploited as some of the poachers and traffickers are
part of the community.
The
illegal trade in ivory and some elephant parts has been described as the main
threat to the survival of the elephant species on the continent and communities
that host elephant populations may just well start to understand the enormity
of responsibility given them by nature otherwise they may carry a stain on
their collective consciences if we were to loose the elephant.
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