Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Nigerian Customs Service NCS says they have impounded I530 Kilograms of pangolin scales falsely declared for exportation as Shale at the Port Harcourt Area one of the Command.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Col Hameed Ali Rtd, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the service said the goods have a black market value of over eight hundred million naira.
Col Hameed Ali Rtd said that the customs service also impounded 10 containers of tomato paste and two containers of canned mackerel fish falsely declared to be carrying Agricultural sprayers.
He said the total duty paid value for the seized tomatoes and mackerel fish worth over 96 million naira.
“Port Harcourt Area one command has effected seizures of 1530kg Pangolin Scales falsely declared as Shale (raw material for analysis) for export. After a tip-off and careful examination, the items were found to contain 32 packages of Pangolin Scales concealed in two wooden pallets. This contravenes schedule 6 of the common external tariff and convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which prohibits trading in Pangolin scales and other endangered plants and animals.
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“The items have a black market value of Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira. The Command also made a seizure of 10x20feet containers found to contain tomato paste and 2×20 feet containers were found to contain canned mackerel fish. The total duty paid value for the twelve containers amounts to N96,638,953.00. The declarations contravened section 161(2,3 and 4) of CEMA, LFN 2004 and the consignments are therefore seized” he said.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Col Hameed Ali Rtd, also said the partial border closure was targeted at reducing insecurity and other smuggling of contraband goods in the country.
He said the partial border closure has reduced terrorism in the North East and issues of drug abuse among youths in the country.
According to him, the banning of the importation of tramadol has reduced drastically banditry, kidnapping and other vices in the country.
Col Hameed Ali Rtd, during the briefing, charged Nigerians to embrace made in Nigeria products.
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