Trafficking of wildlife is incrasing sharply in the Woleu-Ntem province. Following the request of the Chief of the Gendarmerie in Mitzic, the Provincial Directorate of Water and Forests Woleu-Ntem and NGO Conservation Justice went to the village Miang (Woleu-Ntem) to investigate a slaughter of two Elephants on the weekend of 30-31 May.

The team consisted of police officers, agents of Water and Forestry and the NGO Conservation Justice. A person arrested by the police beforehand, MENGUE MBA Rodrigue, would lead the combined team at the scene of the slaughter of the elephants. Arrived on the scene before the village, the team found two elephants in an advanced state of decomposition.

According to information received, the elephants were slaughtered and left in place, once the defenses removed. Jean NDONG, the head of the operation had fled. While visiting the village MIANG, MENGUE MBA Rodrigue was apprehended by villagers who alerted the police.

MENGUE MBA Rodrigue was arrested in possession of marijuana and detained by the police. During his interrogation, he involved two other accomplices NDZIGO Pierre and NFOLO Freddy. The latter, already recidivist, was arrested and sentenced in 2011 to several months in prison for a case of poaching of elephants already.

Quoted by Mr. MENGUE and having a vehicle, the Cameroonian sponsor named John NDONG took the tusks and left the province.

The respondent also admitted they took refuge after each operation in the villages and ESSENG MIMBENG in Minvoul.

On June 12, Mr. MENGUE MBA was convicted for possession of marijuana and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with one year suspended sentence and a fine of FCFA 500,000. His knowledge of the location of remains of elephants and the participants were not deemed sufficient to implicate him in illegal hunting. However, the elements seem consistent and those named are mentioned in other cases.

http://en.gabonews.com/environment/items/drug-dealer-or-elephant-poacher.html