Two held with N1.73b pangolin scales (Nigeria)

Author(s)

Oluwakemi Dauda, The Nation

Date Published

See link for photo. 

The Comptroller-General of Customs Strike Force at the weekend busted another gang specialising in smuggling pangolin scales and claws out of the country.

The team, it was gathered, recovered 1,014kg of pangolin scales and claws valued at about N1.73 billion.

Those arrested were identified as Salif Sanwidi and Sunday Ebeyin while other members of the gang were said to be on the run.

The Nation in August reported the arrest of three Guineans and a Nigerian, and the recovery of N22 billion worth of pangolin scales, claws and elephant tusks from the suspects.

Addressing reporters at the Customs Training School, Ikeja, where the seized items were displayed, National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Controller Joseph Attah, said experts from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Forestry, would conduct a DNA test on the pangolin scales to know the country where the animals were killed.

“The NCS said the seized items were discovered on a Mercedes Benz bus with registration number BGT 256 LG along Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos on which the smuggled items were found.

https://thenationonlineng.net/two-held-with-n1-73b-pangolin-scales/#