Yokadouma:Three individuals are facing charges in the High Court for trafficking pangolin scales. They were apprehended on May 5th with over 700 kilograms of pangolin scales during a significant operation targeting wildlife crime.
According to Cameroon News Agency, the arrest was executed by the Boumba and Ngoko Divisional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife, in conjunction with the Gendarmerie and with technical support from LAGA.
The accused are allegedly part of an extensive wildlife crime network operating throughout Cameroon and extending into neighboring countries such as Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, the Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. Initial reports indicate that the suspects specialized in the illegal trade of pangolin scales, disguising their activities as legitimate trade of non-timber forest products.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally, posing a significant threat to their survival. Cameroon hosts three pangolin species—the white-bellied, black-bellied, and giant pangolins—all classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Following the arrests in May, the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife issued a statement condemning the illegal slaughter of pangolins and underlining its commitment to combating wildlife crime.
The case is currently under investigation by an examining magistrate in Yokadouma. If convicted, the suspects face penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching 50 million CFA francs under the 2024 wildlife law.