Customs in Owerri seizes pangolin scales, illicit drugs worth N2.75bn

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, Wednesday, said its operatives have intercepted pangolin scales and illicit drugs worth N2.75 billion.

The NCS said the development follows a renewed vigor to end trading in endangered species and importation of illicit drugs into the country.

The illicit drugs include; cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, and tramadol.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the zone, Jerry Attah, disclosed that the Customs Unit also seized 398 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 8,756kg and 2,308 compressed parcels of 1kg of the same drug 1kg each totaling 2,308kg.

Other items seized were 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.

Attah, disclosed that the acting Controller of the unit, DC Kayode Kolade, disclosed that the unit recovered N61.46million from demand notices raised based on infractions discovered.

“The Zone arrested 13 suspects in connection with the seizures between January 25th to March 25th 2023. The seized contraband include 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.”

“Effort towards combatting 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.”

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.

“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. Others were 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.”

 “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 N2.76billion. Similarly, based on our intervention we recovered the sum of N61.46million from demand notices raised based on some infractions discovered, making a cumulative sum of  N2.82 billion within the months under review.

 “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.

“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 “.

According to the Comptroller, all the interceptions were made based on credible intelligence as his officers and men maneuvered to beat the system from colleagues within the Southwest zone.

 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.

 “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,” the report read.