Nigerian Customs arrests 2 traffickers in pangolin scales in Lagos raid

Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Wildlife Justice Commission, have smashed traffickers in prohibited pangolin scales, in a raid conducted in Lagos 14 September.

Two persons were arrested.

They were in possession of 15 sacks containing over 1 tonne of pangolin scales, representing over 2,500 dead pangolins, and 5 kg of pangolin claws.

Wildlife products seized were displayed today at a press conference held in Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service.

The raid comes less than three months after another raid in July in which 7.1 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized in Lagos.

Also seized were 870 kg of ivory and other wildlife products.

Altogether, 26.4 tonnes of pangolin scales have been seized in Nigeria, in four raids since January 2020.

“This new operation follows up on the one effected last July into the criminal network believed to be responsible for more than 50% of the major global ivory and pangolin seizures between 2018-2021”, said Isabel Leal of the Wildlife Justice Commission.

“The suspected individuals are part of the same major pangolin and ivory trafficking network that was already disrupted during a joint operation by the Nigeria Customs Service and supported by the Wildlife Justice Commission last July.

“The Wildlife Justice Commission believes that this network, operating in Nigeria and elsewhere in Central Africa, is responsible for more than 50% of the major ivory and pangolin seizures that occurred globally between 2018-2021

“This network was already reacting to the disruption caused by the operation conducted in July and was beginning to displace to neighbouring countries and possibly slowing their operations.

“These follow-up arrests and seizures effected on 14 September are believed to have corresponded with their first foray back into supplying large quantities of pangolin scales since July.

“Investigations into this network and their criminal activities continue.

“The Wildlife Justice Commission wishes to congratulate Nigeria Custom Service for this follow up operation and outcome against a major transnational organised crime network, which demonstrates their persistence in the fight against organised wildlife crime,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Wildlife Justice Commission Executive Director.

“This follow up operation is yet another example of the effective results that public-private partnerships can achieve by working together to disrupt organised crime.

“We will continue to support the efforts of Nigeria Custom Service on the investigation, disruption and dismantling of this transnational criminal network.”