Annual report 2010
Significant progress was made over this period on some aspects of LAGA’s collaboration with MINFOF, with tangible achievements not only in the fields of investigation, arrest and prosecution but also in media exposure, government relations and international activities. This year was very significant in that LAGA was successful in replicating its activities in Gabon (AALF), and there was progress in the Central African Republic (RALF) and the Republic of Congo (PALF) through LAGA missions and operations, and training of Jurists from PALF, AALF and RALF.
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. For every single day a media piece was put on national news and recorded. Good prosecutions were obtained with 26 dealers convicted and a record of about $190 000 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.
This period saw the seizure of more than 2000 African Grey parrots, LAGA’s intervention in hitting main actors and exposing the illegal trade in sea turtle shells, primates, arrest of cyber wildlife dealers, and some illegal wildlife trade networks busted. In the replication of LAGA Activities, 4 arrest operations were carried out in 4 different countries with the arrest of a total of 21 major dealers within 5 days in concretized Regional Law Enforcement. Replication was launched Gabon and Conservation Justice arrested 16 ivory dealers in 3 operations with 105Kg ivory. The first edition of the LAGA Manual was produced and printed; and the 7th Edition of the Wildlife Justice was published with focus on Replication and Regional Law Enforcement.
