Huge Ammo Seized in Sapo Park

Rangers of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) have disclosed the arrest of an alleged importer of 584 assorted single barrel gun shots in the Sapo National Park in South Eastern Liberia.

Mr. Moses D. Wogbeh, Managing Director of the FDA, said the rounds (shots) were confiscated during a routine patrol on 14, November 2010 from a suspect  identified as Paul Chea from the Nyennwleken Community of Jadaepo Statutory District in Sinoe County.

The Management of FDA, however, turned over the cache made of 25 packs to the authority of the Liberia National Police (LNP) at the FDA head office, along the Kakata-Monrovia High way on Wednesday 12, January.

Mr. Wogbeh said a situational report has since been turned over to the Ministry of Justice and President Ellen John-Sileaf based on the sensitive security nature of the case.

According to Wogbeh, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, initially provided US$ 184,000 for security support to the park, while he hinted that police authority have given the assurance to increase security, there by deploying to reinforce security  in the park for additional three months.

The FDA Managing Director indicated that despite the 100 strong FDA rangers present in the park, surrounding community members were still sneaking in, for hunting purposes.

With  ban  being placed on the importation of arms and ammunition into the country,  the FDA Rangers and top security agencies interviewed by The New Dawn during the exhibition and turn over ceremony  noted that they were still investigating how the ammunition made its way into the country  and through what means.

The Sapo National Park, which serves as natural habitat and hosts most of the world’s endangered species, is one of Liberia’s heritages.

The gathering brought together security apparatus, including UNMIL, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalizations (BIN), Ministry of Justice, as well as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fauna and Flora International (FFI).