The Federal Operations Unit, Zone C in Owerri, of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted contraband goods valued at N2.8 billion between 25 January and 25 March. During the same period the unit also arrested 13 suspected smugglers. Acting Comptroller of the NCS in the zone, Mr Kayode Kolade, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, announced the results on Wednesday in Owerri while addressing the press. He clarified that the seized goods were worth N2.7 billion, while the remaining N61.4 million represented demand notices issued for various infractions.
Kolade listed the seized items as follows: five sacks of pangolin scales (totaling 413.1 kg), 398 sacks of Indian hemp weighing 8,756 kg, and an additional 2,308 compressed parcels of Indian hemp (1 kg each). Pangolin scales are used in the manufacture of finger and toe nails, according to NAN. Other seizures included 2,600 bottles of codeine‑based cough syrup packed in 26 cartons, three exotic bullet‑proof vehicles, 931 jumbo bales of second‑hand clothing, 484 bags of smuggled rice, 31 cartons of various medicaments (including tramadol), 32 jerry cans of petrol, and 540 used tyres.
“After reviewing and re‑jigging our operational modalities, the unit intercepted contrabands with a duty‑paid value of N2.8 billion between 25 January and 25 March,” Kolade said. He noted that the five sacks of pangolin scales and the 11,064 kg of Indian hemp represent the largest, and possibly the first, seizure of such endangered species and hard drugs in the zone’s history. “Efforts to combat illicit trade in endangered species aim to prevent their extinction,” he added. Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, categorises pangolin scales under absolute prohibition, making their importation or trade illegal.
Kolade detailed the locations of the interceptions: the pangolin scales were seized on the Benin‑Lagos Expressway, while the Indian hemp was found on the Ewu‑Auchi Road and the Asaba‑Onitsha Expressway. The container carrying 518 bales of used clothing was intercepted on the Benin‑Okada Road, and a second container with 392 jumbo bales of used clothing was stopped on the Umuikaa‑Aba Road. Most consignments were concealed in heavy‑duty trucks and buses. The cartons of codeine cough syrup and unregistered medicaments, including tramadol, were seized on the Asaba‑Onitsha Expressway. Bags of rice were intercepted on the Benin‑Okada Expressway, and used tyres were found on the Ihiala‑Onitsha Road and at Cross River Waterside. Finally, the three exotic armoured vehicles lacking customs documents and End‑User Certificates were intercepted on the Patani‑Bayelsa‑Port Harcourt Expressway.
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