Hendrick Mbina and Patrice Moussavou Mouloungui, alias Ibrahim, were placed in pretrial detention at Port-Gentil central prison on 28 August 2026.[1] The two men had been arrested on the night of 23 August during an operation led by investigators.[1] They were presented to an investigating judge on 28 August before being remanded.[1] Both men remain presumed innocent while the proceedings continue.[1]

The search and investigation found 127 packs of cannabis, known locally as chanvre indien, plus pieces of paper suspected of being used to prepare the drug.[1] Mbina admits holding cannabis but denies any trafficking.[1] He says he bought it from itinerant sellers and that it was for his personal use.[1] Living at Ndougou for farming, he says he uses cannabis during plantation work.[1] He insists that he only consumes cannabis and never trafficked.[1]

Moussavou also rejects the accusations.[1] He says the cannabis found at the scene was not in his room and belonged to his elder brother.[1] He said investigators found only six shotgun cartridges in his room.[1] The case centres on the seizure at Ndougou in Ogooué-Maritime province.[1] The investigation must now establish the packs’ origin and destination and each man’s exact role.[1]