Two People To Appear In Court For Trafficking Giant Pangolin Scales


Pangolin Scales 


By Raymond Dingana 

Two individuals will appear in the High Court of Tibati on October 22nd to face charges of illegally possessing giant pangolin scales.

They were arrested while trying to sell the scales on July 3rd in Tibati during a crackdown by wildlife officials from the Djerem Divisional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife, working with the Gendarmerie Company of Tibati and assisted by the Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA).

The suspects were found with two bags of giant pangolin scales near a bus station. The scales were hidden in cardboard boxes and grain bags. Nearly 90 kg of scales were seized. Sources close to the case, who wished to remain anonymous, said the suspects are part of a larger wildlife trafficking network that involves poachers collecting scales from villages around Tibati. 

This network includes hunters, bike riders, and public transport drivers. They sell the scales in towns like Yoko, Ntui, Yaoundé, Douala, and Ngaoundéré.

The two suspects last appeared in the High Court of Tibati on October 8th, where the case was postponed to October 22nd to discuss their bail request. They are currently in Tibati prison awaiting further proceedings.

The illegal trade and poaching of pangolins pose a significant threat to the species' survival. The government is taking action through the 2024 wildlife law, which imposes heavy penalties on anyone found trafficking pangolin scales.

 Under this law, possessing pangolin scales is treated as if the person has killed a pangolin, resulting in fines of 20 to 50 million and/or prison sentences of 15 to 20 years. Giant pangolins are fully protected in the country.

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