Seizure of 2.179 tonnes of pangolin scales and arrest of key broker

International Seizures Nigeria Seizures

Posted by TGANB-Admin on 2025-11-30 07:00:56 |

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Although slightly outside the 2025 window, this seizure remains one of the more consequential wildlife-crime busts in recent history. A joint operation by NCS and WJC resulted in confiscation of 2.179 tonnes of pangolin scales. The suspect — identified as a key broker in the trafficking network — was arrested, signaling authorities’ focus not only on consignments but on dismantling trafficking networks.

This seizure alone — according to WJC — ranks among the largest in Nigeria’s recent history. The volume underscores how deeply entrenched wildlife trafficking has been in transit hubs such as Lagos — and how WJC-NCS collaboration is gradually shifting the balance. Over years, this partnership reportedly has resulted in 16 major operations, around 35 arrests, and multiple convictions, dramatically impacting illicit wildlife trade originating from Nigeria.

Traffickers reportedly route pangolin scales through complex logistic chains — often mixing them with legitimate cargo to avoid detection. Intelligence-led raids, stings, and long surveillance operations have been core to these successes. Conservation and law-enforcement groups consider the seizure a milestone: not only for the quantity confiscated, but for showing that enforcement agencies are willing and able to go after high-level traffickers, not just low-level couriers.

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