Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday arrested a Chinese, Mr. Li Chaomin, in connection with Pangolin scales with a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.73 billion. The banned items, which were packed in 329 sacks, were impounded at Opebi area of Ikeja in Lagos.
Briefing newsmen on the development at the FOU Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Uba said a Chinese national, Mr. Li Chaomin, who is suspected to be the importer was also arrested in connection with the goods when the Unit stormed the house following a tip-off.It would be recalled that the Unit had also impounded 55 sacks of the same Pangolin and 218 pieces of elephant tusks, which were all, handed over to the Nigeria Environment Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) recently.
Uba explained that the Customs Administration all over the world protects wild life by intercepting illegal trade on such animals.He said, “ As you are aware, Pangolins are the only known mammals that have large and protective keratin scales covering their skin.After a surge in poaching across Asia, the international illegal wildlife trade is now also a growing threat to African pangolin species. These scales were sourced from other African countries to be trafficked.
“The tragedy of the unsustainable demand for their body parts in the illegal wildlife trade, the better chance they have from being saved from extinction. It was based on that the World Pangolin Day was set side globally to talk about pangolins and to help spread awareness about one of the world’s most vulnerable but least-known species. This year’s Pangolin Day was held February 17 to that effect.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our action is in-line with the provisions of Sections 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (power to search premises)”.
Uba said that the seized items will be handed over the NESREA as usual for further investigation.
The Customs Controller was full of commendation for customs officers for their “resilience to have put their lives on the line while performing their statutory responsibilities most especially in anti-smuggling operations, which is yielding positive result.We will continue to motivate them and provide needed operational logistics that will help them perform their job better so as to sustain the tempo.”
Source: Grassroots Publishers