Suspected wildlife trafficking kingpin arrested in Nigeria following joint Customs, WJC operation
Suspected wildlife trafficking kingpin arrested in Nigeria following joint
Customs, WJC operation
EnviroNews Nigeria
March 31, 2025
See link
https://www.environewsnigeria.com/suspected-wildlife-trafficking-kingpin-arrested-in-nigeria-following-joint-customs-wjc-operation/
for photo.
In what appears to be a significant victory against transnational wildlife
crime, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the arrest of a
suspected high-level Chinese wildlife trafficker in Lagos.
Acting on intelligence provided by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC),
NCS carried out the arrest on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The operation
reportedly represents a critical disruption to organised wildlife crime
networks operating between Nigeria and Asia.
Landmark Seizure Led to Arrest
The arrest was linked to a warehouse raid in Ogun State, Nigeria, that led
to a major pangolin scale seizure in August 2024, following intelligence
provided by the WJC. NCS officers initially seized 31 bags of pangolin
scales on August 8, with a follow-up search on August 10 uncovering an
additional 148 bags, bringing the total to 7.2 tonnes – the largest-ever
WJC-supported seizure.
Intelligence identified the suspected owner of the stockpile as a
high-level Chinese wildlife trafficker. With WJC support, Nigerian
authorities tracked the suspect, leading to his arrest in Lagos six months
later.
According to the WJC, the Arrest Represents:
The first Chinese wildlife trafficking suspect arrested in Nigeria as a
result of a WJC-supported operation.
The second suspected kingpin was arrested in Nigeria through WJC
collaboration.
A Strong Partnership Driving Impact
The WJC has been working in close partnership with the NCS since July 2021,
providing intelligence analysis, investigative support, and evidentiary
assistance. To date, this collaboration has facilitated 17 joint
operations, leading to 37 arrests, the seizure of 21.5 tonnes of pangolin
scales and over one tonne of ivory, and 12 successful convictions. Among
those convicted are a Vietnamese kingpin, his two associates, and two
high-level shipping facilitators behind Lagos-based organised crime
networks.
“Our technical assistance has contributed to 94% of all pangolin scales
seizures reported in Nigeria during this period. Notably, no significant
seizures of African pangolin scales have been reported at any seaports
globally for over three years, signaling a major disruption in
transnational trafficking routes,” said the WJC.
Strengthening The Fight Against Wildlife Crime
“This arrest represents a gold standard in investigations into the top tier
of the illegal wildlife trade, and we congratulate NCS on this outstanding
result. Their swift action, guided by our intelligence, demonstrates the
importance of proactive law enforcement efforts to target trafficking at
the highest level and drive disruption through the entire supply chain. By
dismantling criminal operations from the top down and across major global
supply chains, we can help stop transnational organised crime from driving
species to extinction,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of
the WJC.
A Major Setback for Transnational Organised Wildlife Crime
The seizure of 7.2 tonnes of pangolin scales dealt a significant financial
blow to the trafficking network, with an estimated value exceeding $1.4
million in Asia. The arrest of the suspect is expected to have lasting
disruptive effects on Nigeria-based criminal syndicates supplying the
illegal wildlife trade.
This success, it was gathered, underscores the increasing risks associated
with wildlife trafficking and reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to
dismantling organised crime networks.
The Wildlife Justice Commission says it remains dedicated to supporting law
enforcement partners in holding traffickers accountable and tackling the
illegal wildlife trade at its highest levels.