CITES: Nigeria Deepens Outreach As Customs Intercept 413.1kg Pangolin Scales

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Efforts by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) at combating the illicit trade in identified endangered species globally  to ensure that such animals do not go into extinction paid off handsomely recently with the seizure of 413.1kilogrames of pangolin scales by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C.

This is even as the unit came down heavily on smugglers and economic saboteurs and impounded assortments of offensive goods including Cannabis Sativa locally known as Indian hemp, controlled pharmaceuticals, contraband imports amongst others worth Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety naira only (N2,757,676,390.00).

Acting Unit Controller, Deputy Comptroller Kayode Kolade who said his mandate to combat economic crimes and all acts of smuggling remains non-negotiable during his maiden press briefing Wednesday, disclosed that the pangolin scales in addition to 11,064kg of the Indian hemp are about the highest of the seizure of such endangered species and hard drugs in the history of Federal Operations Unit Zone C.

A statement signed and made available to our reporter by the Unit Public Relations Officer, Jerry Attah said the unit also recovered the sum of Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira only (N61,467,109.00) from the issuance of demand notices (DN) based on identified infractions, bringing the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) to a combined sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Naira only (N2,819,143,499.00), between January and March 2023.

 The Zone the statement added also arrested thirteen (13) suspects in connection with the seizures within the period under review, noting that its mandate in the blockage of all revenue leakages, trade facilitation and intensification of anti-smuggling operations will be carried out with very high sense of duty.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ’C’ has intercepted five sacks of pangolin scales , hard drugs and other contraband worth  Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety naira only (N2,757,676,390.00).

“FOUC also recovered the sum of Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira only (N61,467,109.00) from demand notices raised based on some infractions discovered, making a cumulative sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Naira only (N2,819,143,499.00) within the months under review.”

The statement continues: “The DPV was derived from our detained and seized goods which include:  five sacks of pangolin scales weighing 413.1kilograme, 398 sacks of cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp weighing 8,756kg and 2,308 compressed parcels of same Indian hemp 1kg each totaling 2,308kg, 26 cartons of CMC Cough Syrup with codeine 100mg containing 2,600 bottles, 3 units of exotic vehicles all bulletproof, 931 jumbo bales of second hand clothing, 484 bags of smuggled rice, 31 cartons of various medicaments including 4 rolls of ZH tramadol containing 40 packs, 540 pieces of used pneumatic tyres and 32 jerry cans of PMS (25litres each)

 “Remarkably, the five sacks of pangolin scales weighing 413.1kilograme and the 11,064kg of the Indian hemp are the highest if not arguably the first seizure of such endangered species and hard drugs in the history of Federal Operations Unit Zone C.”

Kolade who assumed office on the 25th of January noted that the above listed seizures were among the most significant, adding that other contrabands seized by the unit include 26 cartons of CMC Cough Syrup with codeine 100mg containing 2,600 bottles ; 3 units of exotic vehicles all bulletproof; 931 jumbo bales of second hand clothing; 484 bags of smuggled rice; 31 cartons of various medicaments including 4 rolls of ZH tramadol containing 40 packs; 32 jerry cans of PMS (25litres each) and 540 pieces of used pneumatic tyres.

He said that the successes so far recorded were in line with his management mandate which includes: blockage of all revenue leakages, trade facilitation and intensification of anti-smuggling operations at various entry points: Seaports, land borders, and Airport within the Unit’s areas of jurisdiction in the south/south-South/East zone.

 “After reviewing and re-jigging our operational modalities based on the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the unit lived up to its responsibility by intercepting various contrabands with a duty paid value (DPV) of Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety naira only (N2,757,676,390.00) between January 25 to March 25th 2023 making it my two month score card.  

“Similarly, based on our intervention we recovered the sum of Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Nine Naira only (N61,467,109.00) from demand notices raised based on some infractions discovered, making a cumulative sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-Nine Naira only (N2,819,143,499.00) within the months under review.”

Speaking further on the seized pangolin skin, Indian hemp and the locations the items were intercepted, he said, “Effort towards combating the illicit trade on endangered species is to ensure that such animals don’t go into extinction. Hence, Nigeria, a signatory to CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) categorizes the scales under absolute prohibition making its importation or trade illegal globally.

 “While the predominantly white belly Pangolin scales were intercepted along Benin-Lagos expressway, the 398 sacks and 2,308 parcels of Indian hemp were intercepted at Ewu-Auchi road and Asaba/Onitsha Expressway respectively. Also, a 2x40ft containers number: MRSU 135969/6 and MAEU 356823/5 carrying 518 bales, and 392 Jumbo bales of used clothing mostly concealed in heavy-duty trucks, and buses were intercepted along Benin/Okada axis and Umeikaa/Aba Road respectively.

“The 26 cartons of cough syrup with codeine, and 31 cartons of unregistered medicaments including tramadol was all intercepted along Asaba/Onitsha Expressway.  The 484 bags of 50kg each of the foreign parboiled rice were intercepted along Benin-Okada expressway. The three exotic armored vehicles without customs documents and End User Certificate intercepted along patani/Bayelsa/PH expressway and Okada/Benin Expressway include two Toyota Land cruiser 2022 models and One BMW 2022 model. 540 pieces of used pneumatic tyres were also intercepted along Ihiala/Onitsha road and Cross River waterside “.

 He described the seizures as a further affirmation of the determination of the Service to enforce all laws, relating to the importation and exportation of goods into and out of Nigeria thereby contributing to the economy, security, and well being of the Country.

 The tested, competent, trusted and uncompromising  jungle combatant said the seizures is an attestation of the monitoring, surveillance and diligence of the operatives of the service who are minded to remain on patrol along the highways, to checkmate the movement and passage of questionable items.

“Only God knows what will happen if these items especially the hard drugs get to their destinations unchecked considering their security implication. The interception of these items and other previously related seizures further justify why you see our field operatives on surveillance patrol along our highways within our areas of jurisdiction as empowered by sections 158, 149, and 150 of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 which allows Customs officer to patrol freely, Search Vehicles and Persons respectively .

“You will agree with me that the fight against smuggling can only be won if all hands are on deck.”

While assuring of the professional conduct of his officers at all time, he called for improved cooperation of all stakeholders and the general public to kindly and humbly comply when stopped for search, and to accord field officers and the service mutual maximum respect.

Kolade also solicited for the sharing of credible information that could assist the service to perform their statutory responsibilities in the interest of the nation from all well-meaning Nigerians.