Achievements were recorded in LAGA's collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) despite several challenges posed over this period. These achievements were obtained in the fields of investigation, arrest, prosecution, media exposure, government relations and international activities. Focus was on the fight against the illegal wildlife trade in apes.
13 traffickers were arrested and 75% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Accordingly, 9 new cases were brought to the courts. 20 traffickers were found guilty and 5 given prison sentences and ordered to pay fines and damages. The 15 others found guilty were either ordered to pay fines and damages and or handed suspended prison sentences. In total, the courts ordered the payment of damages totalling 105,889,000 FCFA (about $211,778) to MINFOF. Media exposure was at a rate of 4 media pieces per week.
A total of 60 investigation missions (of varying lengths) were carried out in 6 regions.
9 new cases were brought to court. Many of the cases began during the period have not yet reached the prosecution stage but procedures are ongoing.
A total of 97 media pieces were produced in national media (radio, written press and internet) achieved at a rate of one media piece every two days.
4 traffickers were arrested and 50% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Accordingly, 4 new cases were brought to the courts. 10 traffickers were found guilty and 2 traffickers given prison sentences and ordered to pay fines and damages. A trafficker was given a suspended prison sentence for 3 years and 7 others were ordered to pay fines and damages. In total, the courts ordered the payment of damages totalling 86,188,000 FCFA (about $172 768) to MINFOF. Media exposure was at a rate of 3 media pieces per week.
43 major traffickers were arrested at a rate of one for every 9 days and 64% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. 42 new cases were brought to the courts. 26 traffickers were found guilty and handed prison sentences, fines and damages in 16 court judgements. Damages amounted to some 128,206,627 FCFA (about $256,417) awarded to MINFOF. Five appeals were lodged against unsatisfactory court rulings. Media exposure was at a rate one media piece per day.
22 major traffickers were arrested at a rate of one for every 9 days and 61% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest.
21 new cases were brought to the courts. 13 traffickers were found guilty and handed prison sentences, fines and damages during 8 court judgements passed. Damages amounted to some 16,237, 000 FCFA (about $32,474). awarded to MINFOF. Three appeals were lodged against unsatisfactory court rulings.
Media exposure was at a rate one media piece per day.
21 major traffickers were arrested at a rate of one for every 9 days and 67% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Accordingly, 21 new cases were brought to the courts. 13 traffickers were found guilty and 8 traffickers given prison sentences and ordered to pay fines and damages. 5 others were ordered to pay fines and damages... In total, the courts ordered the payment of damages totalling 111,971,627 F CFA (about $223,743) to MINFOF by the convicted traffickers. Media exposure was at a rate almost one media piece per day.
The Covid-19 pandemic continued to pose challenges, although not as last year and the restrictive measures were a bit relaxed.
Despite this challenge and several others, the LAGA team obtained tangible achievements in its collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) in the fight against wildlife crime.
Achievements were obtained in the fields of investigations, arrest operations, prosecutions, media exposure and government relations with focus on the fight against the trafficking in live primates, pangolin scales and parrots.
The EAGLE network's Central Coordination Unit (CCU) continued to provide vital technical and organisation support that facilitated several operations resulting in a significant number of arrests.
Trafficking in primates and pangolin scales drew much of the attention. A major trafficker was arrested with 331kg of pangolin scales and a customs official was arrested with a mandrill.
15 major traffickers were arrested and 67% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and 33% were released on bail as the trials started. Corruption was observed and combated in two cases.
15 new cases were brought to the courts and two of the cases were initiated from an arrest carried by the police.
12 traffickers were found guilty and damages totalling 11,585,000 FCFA (about $23,170). were ordered to be paid by the convicts to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF).
Media exposure was at a rate of one media piece per day.
12 major traffickers were arrested at a rate of one for every two weeks and approximately 42 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. This is an usually very low rate of arrested traffickers kept behind bars. Accordingly, 12 new cases were brought to the courts. 9 traffickers were found guilty and the courts ordered the payment of damages totalling 216,100,000 F CFA (about $432,200) to MINFOF by the convicted traffickers. Media exposure was at a rate almost one media piece per day.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and several other difficulties, the LAGA team pushed forward and through, obtaining tangible achievements in its collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Achievements were obtained in the fields of investigation, arrest, prosecution, media exposure, government relations and international activities with focus on the fight against corruption and the illegal wildlife trade; principally trafficking in ivory, pangolin scales, leopard and lion skins. Government measures and guidelines, alongside organisational measures put in place to prevent the spread of the corona virus, were strictly respected. The efforts produced sterling results in combatting the. trafficking in pangolin scales, ivory, human bones, mandrills and leopard and lion skins.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and several other difficulties, the LAGA team pushed forward and through, obtaining tangible achievements in its collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Achievements were obtained in the fields of investigation, arrest, prosecution, media exposure, government relations and international activities with focus on the fight against corruption and the illegal wildlife trade, principally trafficking in ivory and pangolin scales.
23 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one for every 8 days, approximately. 35 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and the low rate of imprisonment was the result of guidelines by the Ministry of Justice to reduce the population of those locked up for fear of congestion at the various prisons because of the nature of the spread of Covid-19. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 23 new cases were brought to the courts and 13 traffickers were found guilty and given prison sentences and or fines, damages and penalties. 4 traffickers given a penalty of 5 years. Damages awarded the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) stood at 5,942,00 F CFA (about $11,884). Media exposure was at the rate of one media piece per day.
Tangible achievements were made in LAGA’s collaboration with MINFOF, despite the several old as well as new challenges and obstacles encountered during this period.
32 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one per 11 days; approximately 78 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. 32 new cases were brought to the courts and 39 traffickers were found guilty. The court ordered the payment of damages totaling 200,211,000 F CFA (about $400,522) to MINFOF by the convicted traffickers. Media exposure was at a rate of one media piece per day.
10 major traffickers were arrested and 50% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and 50% were released on bail as the trials started. Corruption was observed and combated in two cases. 10 new cases were brought to the courts while 10 traffickers were found guilty and damage' totaling 45,711,000 FCFA (about $91,522) was ordered to be paid to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) by the convicts. Media exposure was at a rate of almost one media piece per day.
22 major traffickers were arrested at a rate of one per 9 days, approximately 91 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases, including an arrest of a police officer. Accordingly, 22 new cases were brought to the courts. 22 traffickers were found guilty and the courts ordered the payment of damages totalling 154,500,000 F CFA (about $309,000) to MINFOF by the convicted traffickers. Media exposure was at a rate of more than one media piece per day.
36 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one per 10 days; approximately 73 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 36 new cases were brought to the courts and 45 traffickers were found guilty. The court ordered the payment of damages totaling 321,095,000 F CFA (about $642,190) to MINFOF by the convicted traffickers. Media exposure was at a rate of one media piece per day.
Tangible achievements and results were obtained during LAGA’s collaboration with MINFOF in the fields of investigation, arrest, prosecution and media exposure, during the first semester of 2018.
36 major traffickers were arrested, 73 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 41 new cases were brought to the courts and 37 traffickers were found guilty and given prison sentences, two traffickers given the maximum penalty of 3 years.
15 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one for every 12 days, approximately. 73 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 15 new cases were brought to the courts and 19 traffickers were found guilty and given prison sentences, fines, damages and penalties and with two traffickers given the maximum penalty of 3 years and in another matter a trafficker was ordered to pay damages totalling 107, 559, 000 F CFA (about $215,120) to MINFOF. Media exposure was at a rate of approximately one media piece per day.
34 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one for each 11 days period. 71 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 34 new cases were brought to the courts and 36 traffickers were convicted and given prison sentences, fines, damages and penalties and damages and fines amounted.
20 major traffickers were arrested, at a rate of one for each 9 days. 71 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in a number of the cases. 20 new cases were brought to the courts and 27 traffickers were found guilty and given prison sentences, fines, damages and penalties and 58, 080, 000 F CFA (about $116,000) were awarded to be paid to MINFOF. Media exposure was at a rate of one media piece per day.
0% of those arrested stayed permanently behind bars from the moment of arrest and during the trial process while 16% were granted bail along the line and 4% were released and never prosecuted. Corruption was observed and fought in more than 80% of the cases. Operations focused on the illicit trade in ape parts and the trafficking in ivory.
For every 7 days a major wildlife trafficker was arrested, 87 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in more than 80% of the cases. Under the EAGLE network that became fully functional, replication started in EAGLE Uganda that became the newest member of the EAGLE network.
This year, LAGA focused on the illegal trade in ape skulls uncovering an unprecedented magnitude of this specialized trade with 77 ape skulls seized and 25 traffickers arrested. 86% of those arrested stayed permanently behind bars from the moment of arrest and during the trial process while 10% were granted bail along the line and 4% were released and never prosecuted.
20 dealers were arrested during this period. For every 9 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 90 % stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in more than 80% of the cases. Regional wildlife law enforcement became more effective with good operations and prosecutions. Replication started in Senegal and SALF became the newest member of our Regional Wildlife Law Enforcement Network.
For every 6.5 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 96% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and corruption was observed and fought in more than 80% of the cases. Operations focused on international trafficking and Chinese traffickers. 54 new cases were brought to court, 23 dealers convicted and more than $63,000 to be paid as damages.
24 dealers were arrested during this period. For every 7.5 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 96% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in more than 80% of the cases. Regional wildlife law enforcement became more effective with good operations and prosecutions. Replication started in Togo and TALF becomes the newest member of our Regional Wildlife Law Enforcement Network.
Tangible achievements were over this period on all aspects of LAGA’s collaboration with MINFOF including field investigation, arrests, prosecutions, media exposure, government relations, international and replication activities. There was more focus on the fight against corruption, wildlife trade especially networks of ivory traffickers and dealers in primates.
24 dealers were arrested during this period. During this period, LAGA won another award. In May, LAGA won the Marsh Christian Trust Award after being nominated by WSPA. For every 7.58 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 96% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in more than 80% of the cases.
or every 6.5 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 89% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and corruption was observed and fought in many of the cases. For every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded. 35 dealers were prosecuted and over $100,000 was to be paid as damages to MINFOF.
For every 5 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 86% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Corruption was observed and combated in more than 80% of the cases.
This year for every 7 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 82% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and corruption was observed and fought in many of the cases.
12 cases were prosecuted with 15 dealers convicted and a record total of about $142,000 to be paid as damages; 2 ivory dealers involved in 1 ton ivory trafficking sentenced to 1 year imprisonment and to pay a record sum of over $116,500 as damages. For every 9.05 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 80% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest.
This year for every 7 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 71% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest and corruption was observed in 77% of the cases. For every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded. The logging industry was again exposed with the arrest of a Manager in a Logging company. More than 1/3 of the operations were on ivory trade with 1 ton seized in Douala – Littoral Region.
A major dealer was arrested with 10 hippo teeth initially presenting them as ivory in Yaounde – Center Region. He has suppliers of products of protected animal species especially ivory in Douala. During his arrest, he tried to bribe the arresting officials, offering them 200.000 Frs. (about $400) for his release. In other operations, 2 well known poachers/dealers were arrested for killing a chimp and trading in its meat .
This year for every 11 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 94% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. For every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded, full time website analysis was done.
This period for every 7 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 92% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded. This period saw an International Operation in the Republic of Congo, a timber company manager arrested in connection to trade in chimps, more arrests of cyber wildlife scammers.
This year saw the return of the “Taiping Four” Gorillas, the first cyber court case against internet wildlife trade and fraud, more focus on the fight against corruption and the arrests involved seizure of 1220 African Grey parrots about to be exported illegally using falsified documents.
Operations were carried out in six provinces against 22 individuals, resulting in 22 court cases.
The rate of imprisonment for these cases rose to 85 percent.
This year for every 8 days a major wildlife dealer was arrested, 87% stayed behind bars from the day of arrest. Every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded. This year saw the maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment laid down by the courts of Cameroon, and this was given to military personnel, previously thought to be above civil law.
Operations were carried out in 8 provinces resulting in 24 court cases.
The rate of imprisonment for these cases rose to 88%.
