Customs Service Gears up Against Smuggling, Wildlife Trafficking

Customs Service Gears up Against Smuggling, Wildlife Trafficking.

By Joe Njoku
Global Freight News.

The Nigeria Customs Service, in alignment with the present administration of President Bola Tinubu’s progressive policies, has adopted fresh approach towards fulfilling the Service mandate of balancing revenue collection, trade facilitation and ensuring compliance with relevant laws.

However, the scale and sophistication of smuggling activities are alarming. Since 2018, the NCS has intercepted 20 significant shipments, comprising 10,498 pieces of various arms and 114,929 pieces of ammunition, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 9.58 billion Naira. 60% of the seizures occurred within the past year alone.

The recent increase accounts for 34.67% of the total DPV, 20.58% of the arms seized, and a whooping 99.62% of the ammunition intercepted over six years period. Statistics not only highlight the intensification of the Service efforts but also revealed the evolving tactics employed by smugglers to breach the nation’s borders.

On August 8, 2024, the NCS in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission, conducted a joint operation which resulted in the seizure of 9,493 kg of pangolin scales. The operation was executed at two locations, represents the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally since January 2020. Kano/Kaduna operation yielded 2,293 tons of pangolin scales with 2 arrest. The Lagos operation resulted in the seizure of 7.2 tons of pangolin scales with additional two peoples arrested.

The total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by the Service and wildlife justice commission was close to 20 tons since 2021, representing the loss of over 30,000 pangolin species.

The Nigeria Customs Service remains unwavering in collaborating with domestic and international partners to combat wildlife trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice. “We recognize the evolving of trafficking networks and are adapting our strategies accordingly,” said CGC.

“Threat to endangered species is unacceptable and Nigeria will continue to work relentlessly with our partners to eradicate this illegal trade and ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions,” he added.

In kebbi state, another 445.45 kg of pangolin scales was confiscated and one person arrested.

In a related international case, the NCS made substantial progress in an investigation linked to a shipment from Onne Port, Port Harcourt, which was intercepted at Hai Phong Port, Vietnam.

The shipment contained 1,580 kg of elephant tusks. Three individuals, including both agents and sellers connected to the illegal export have been arrested. The service also intercepted a 40 foot container with number SUDU8579006 declared to contain kitchen wares. Upon inspection, the eagle eye officers uncovered a concealment of 1,584 cartons of Throat and Chesty Cough with Codeine totalling 158, 483 bottles (100ml each). The discovery highlights sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to bypass our controls. In separate operation, Apapa Customs Command intercepted two 40ft containers with numbers ( TGBU8886020, MRKU0377493) containing 300 bottles of CSP cough syrup. 200 of the bottles were found to be expired, posing a health risk.

Between May 2023 and August 2024, the NCS recorded 48 seizures of restricted pharmaceuticals and medicaments. During the same period, the Service intercepted 119 shipments of narcotics and Indian Hemp. A total of 7,155 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice. Another 3,235 bags were recently seized along the Erekiti waterside, Seme road, and Ogun state border areas.

The Joint Border Team Operations, Sector 2 in the southwest zone of Lagos conducted a successful operations between 12 September and 14th October, 2024 resulting in various seizures valued at #1.1 billion Naira.