CRIET: one year of hard prison time requested against a tractor driver for illegal kaolin mining

Charged with illegal exploitation of mineral resources, the defendant pleaded not guilty and urged the court for leniency. According to information from Bip radio, the case began in Ouinhi following the interception of a truck transporting a cargo of kaolin, whose driver fled the scene.

Based on messages exchanged with his partners, the judge suspects the defendant of being involved in a system of bribery involving police and customs agents to facilitate the illegal transport of shipments. During the hearing, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence and a fine of one million CFA francs against the accused.

For its part, the defense argued for acquittal, claiming that the young man was merely an intermediary and that the loading had occurred before his involvement. Citing his family burden with six children to feed, the defendant promised not to reoffend. The Court’s deliberation is set for August 31, 2026.