Customs Arrest Chinese National over Goods Banned for Export

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja Lagos, has announced the arrest of a Chinese national, Mr. Li Chaomin in relation to goods banned for export.

Controller, FOU, Mohammed Uba, who stated at a press briefing, said the interception of endangered species slated for export shows the cartel behind the illegal act are unrelenting hence the need for the NCS to redouble its efforts.

Speaking on how the syndicate was smashed, he said:“On Monday, 5th March, 2018 at about 1600hrs, the Warehouse Operations Team led by Assistant Comptroller Mutalib Sule while on credible intelligence again searched an apartment at No. 64 Opebi Road, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos and evacuated the following after physical examination: 329 sacks of Pangolin scales weighing 8,492kg with a duty paid value of N1,732,857,393.96.

“Chaomin, a Chinese national was apprehended in connection to this seizure, making it two Chinese nationals in a roll in relations to goods banned for export. You will recall that in the month of February also we evacuated 55 sacks of the same pangolin and 218 pieces of elephant tusks, which were all, handed over to Nigeria Environment Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA).”

Uba said the Convention of International Trade in Endangered species (CITES 1973) entails that customs administration all over the world protects wild life by intercepting illegal trade on such animals. “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.