Justice: Two alleged traffickers of wildlife products in Pointe-Noire (Republic of the Congo)
*Translated from the French by an automated online translation service, so
please excuse the roughness. See link for original. *
Justice: Two alleged traffickers of wildlife products in Pointe-Noire
(Republic of the Congo)
Groupe Congo Medias
July 14, 2021
See link
https://groupecongomedias.com/justice-deux-presumes-trafiquants-de-produits-de-faune-a-la-barre-a-pointe-noire/
for photo.
The fourth hearing relating to the case of two alleged traffickers of a
panther skin and a piece of ivory arrested on May 20 in Pointe-Noire, will
take place on July 27, at the Tribunal de Grande Instance of this city.
The summons of the defendants, the presentation of the seals, the
requisitions of the public prosecutor and the pleadings are awaited. The
arrest of the two alleged traffickers had been carried out by agents of the
Departmental Directorate of Forest Economy of Pointe-Noire and elements of
the research section of the Gendarmerie region, with technical assistance
from the Support Project. to the Application of the Law on Wildlife (PALF).
The alleged offenders had been caught in the act of possessing, circulating
and attempting to market a panther skin and a piece of ivory. The two
unscrupulous were preparing to sell these products in Pointe-Noire to their
potential customers. During the previous hearings which took place on June
8, 22 and July 13, one of the two admitted the facts. They are liable to
penalties ranging from two to five years' imprisonment and a fine ranging
from 100,000 to 5,000,000 CFA francs, in accordance with the law.
The Republic of Congo, which is committed to protecting its endangered
animal species, remains vigilant and hunts down all those who violate the
law on the protection of wildlife. The work, regularly carried out by local
authorities in the fight against wildlife crime, is producing positive
effects.
As a reminder, six individuals were also arrested in January and February 2
in the same city, with four ivory tusks and several objects worked in
ivory. The legal proceedings inherent in this case are pending before the
Pointe-Noire Tribunal de Grande Instance.