Cameroun - Cameroon: Two major ivory traffickers arrested in Ebolowa

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 Bouba Ndjida 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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