Filipino, Gabonese Nationals Arrested For Ivory Trafficking In Gabon
The accused both work for the Mont Pele Bois forestry company situated 12 km from Moabi.
A Filipino, Alex Abaou and a Gabonese, Jean-Baptise Mezeme Mba, have been arrested in Mouila, chief town of the Gabonese province of Ngounie in possession of four elephant tusks.
Both Abaou and Mba, who were arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 8, work for Mont Pele Bois forestry company situated 12 km from Moabi.
“The arrest took place around 1 p.m. at a location where the concerned individuals had taken an appointment,” a local source in Mouila told HumAngle.
“However, the transaction was leaked to the judicial police of the town who immediately constituted a mixed intervention team composed of agents of the judicial police and the water and forestry ministry supported by the non-governmental organisation (ONG) Conservative Justice.”
“They were in possession of four elephant tusks destined for the illicit ivory market,” the source added. The two are currently being detained in the Mouila judicial police station awaiting their transfer to the capital Libreville where they will be presented to the state prosecutor.
The accused, if found guilty, risk prison terms of up to 10 years, according to Gabonese law.
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