The Nigerian Customs Service claims it has caught another 3.1-billion-naira worth of pangolin scales and elephant tusks in Lagos.
A Toyota Sienna with the registration number KRD 541 HH was confiscated in the Lagos neighborhood of Lekki, according to the Customs Service.
At a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Customs Comptroller General Hameed Ali stated this.
Outgoing Service National Public Relations Officer Joseph Attah represented Ali.
Men from the CGC Strike Force, he added, conducted out the seizure on February 2.
“The CGC Strike Force broke into the Lekki region of Lagos and intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus with registration number KRD 541 HH and chassis: STDZA23C955338572 suspected of being laden with non-customs items, according to reliable intelligence.”
“The car and its contents, which included four individuals (all Nigerians), were immediately escorted to the station and held.”
“The following things were discovered after a 100-person joint physical examination: 15 bags of pangolin scales and four bags of elephant tusks”.
In Lagos, customs seized N3.1 billion worth of pangolin scales and elephant tusks.
“The overall number of intercepted elephant tusks is 145kg, while the total number of pangolin scales is 839.4kg with a total value of N3,155,667,500,” he stated.
The operation, according to Mr. Ali, it was carried out in partnership with the Wildlife Justice Commission and targeted illicit wildlife trafficking from Africa to Asia.
He said that the pangolin scales, ivory, and other animal components discovered today were the fourth large seizure in Nigeria in the previous 13 months.
“We want to express our gratitude to the Wildlife Justice Commission for continuing to support our cause by providing credible and actionable intelligence.
“Nigeria Customs appreciates this collaborative effort and anticipates more,” he added.
