Cameroun - Cameroon: Ivory trafficker arrested in Douala

A suspected wildlife trafficker has been arrested in Douala with over 100 pieces of carved ivory objects.The man was arrested by wildlife officials from the Littoral Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife working in collaboration with the judicial police in Douala. He was arrested at the Marche des Fleurs neighbourhood as he attempted to sell the ivory he had stuffed in a dirty old white plastic bag that few would have suspected of containing such high value items. As undercover police officers approached the suspect, he made for the escape and was roundly stopped. His accomplices who had been hiding while watching at the scene suddenly appeared and violently tried to release him but the policemen stood firm. He was taken to the regional wildlife office. The operation was carried out with the technical assistance of The Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA).

The 29-year old man had earlier escaped arrest following a lengthy investigation that revealed evidence of his top level involvement in ivory trafficking in Douala according to inside sources. Wildlife officials, a couple of weeks ago, almost arrested the man in Douala as he attempted to sell ivory but he became suspicious and immediately escaped. Prior investigations show he is part of a ring of ivory traffickers operating at the Marche de Fleurs market in Douala that is considered be an ivory trafficking hub in the sub region and several ivory traffickers operating from this market have fallen under the dragnet of wildlife officials.

The judiciary provided technical support during the high profile operation that witnessed the arresting team matching up tactics with the trafficker shortly before his arrest The trafficker had placed his own undercover accomplices at strategic positions to cover the area where he was supposed to do business and make sure it was safe. He personally appeared at the scene, observed the area before going back to collect the ivory contraband.

The operation falls within the framework of the effective wildlife law enforcement initiative started by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in 2003 which aims at tracking, arresting and ensuring the prosecution of offenders of the wildlife law. The model has spread over Africa and functioning in 8 other countries. Madagascar started replicating the model some two months ago and proceeded to their first ever arrests with 7 people arrested in two other operations for trafficking in over 400 radiated turtles – an endemic species that is highly prized in the country. The various projects operate under the canopy of a network called the Eco Activists for Governance and Law Enforcement – EAGLE.

Conservationists say wildlife trafficking is responsible for the dwindling populations of protected species on the continent and ivory has become the commodity of choice for several wildlife traffickers commanding huge profits in Asia. The result has been increase in demand and a subsequent increase the killing of African elephants to supply the Asian markets. The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife is bent on stopping this trend.

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