The fight against ivory trafficking continues to intensify in Gabon. On August 7, 2024, three suspected traffickers were arrested in Makokou by a joint team of agents from the Forestry Department and the Judicial Police, with support from the NGO Conservation Justice.
In their possession: six ivory tusks, sectioned and weighing 25.7 kg, hidden in cartons and ready to be sold illegally.
The arrest of E.R., a corporal in the Penitentiary Guard, and M.F. and S.B.B., contractual agents from the Public Works Department, once again highlights the severity of ivory trafficking in the country.
During their apprehension, the suspects admitted to possessing ivory without authorization, intending to sell it illegally. B.S.B. confessed to purchasing two tusks, while K.R. and M.F. claimed to have found their tusks in the forest but did not inform the authorities, which constitutes an offense under Article 200 of the Forestry Code.
The six tusks, divided into twelve pieces, represent a total of 25.7 kg of ivory. M.F. and S.B.B. were held in custody in Makokou before being transferred to Libreville and presented to the Special Prosecutor’s Office. E.R., on the other hand, was handed over to his administration for further inspection.
This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing ivory trafficking in Gabon’s rural areas and underscores the urgent need to strengthen efforts to combat this scourge, both in terms of control and raising public awareness. Offenders face up to ten years in prison under Articles 390 and 398 of the Penal Code.
Fanta Mabo
