3 traffickers of totally protected species arrested
Benin, 23 Jul 2015
3 wildlife traffickers were arrested last week with 4 elephant feet, 2 leopard skins and scales of 2 pangolins. The contraband of many other protected species also included 50 chameleons, heads and skins of crocodile, skins of antelopes and civets and baboon heads.
The operation was carried out by police in Porto - Novo with support of AALF-B team. Illegal trafficking of this scale affects the species populations and the biodiversity of whole ecosystems. The three traffickers now wait in prison for the prosecution, according Beninese law the maximum penalty they are facing is 5 years behind bars.
