second semester report 2021
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.
9 traffickers were arrested for trafficking in live primates.
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.
