A significant illegal fuel production operation involving the depletion of mangroves was uncovered yesterday in Samuel’s Town, Waterloo, during a joint raid conducted by the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Rangers, Conservation Task Force (CTF), and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).

The raid, led by NPAA’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Dwight Z.K. Sheriff, revealed a widespread illegal activity in which unscrupulous individuals are extracting diesel fuel from mangrove ecosystems, causing severe environmental damage. Among the evidence discovered at the scene was a fuel tanker believed to be used in the transportation of the illegally produced fuel.

According to information gathered during the operation, several local leaders, including headmen, community chiefs, and youth leaders, are reportedly involved in this illegal practice, facilitating the destruction of the mangrove forest for profit. The Waterloo Division of the SLP, under the leadership of LUC Bongay, provided security support throughout the raid.

Mr. Sheriff commended the efforts of the Sierra Leone Police for their collaboration, stating that such joint operations are crucial in safeguarding the country’s natural resources. He further reiterated NPAA’s commitment to maintaining oversight of Sierra Leone’s 15 protected areas, pledging to intensify efforts to combat illegal activities within these regions.

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change also expressed its gratitude for the continued security and operational support from the Waterloo Division of the SLP, emphasizing the critical role law enforcement plays in preserving the nation’s environmental heritage.

This operation is part of a broader effort to protect Sierra Leone’s mangrove forests, which are vital for coastal protection, biodiversity, and climate resilience. NPAA vowed to take legal action against those involved and ramp up surveillance in other vulnerable areas.