Nigeria seizes pangolin haul worth millions

The Nigerian customs service says it has intercepted a consignment of pangolin scales and elephant tusks worth $7.5m (£5.5m) being taken through the country to Asia. 

They were found in a car earlier this month in Lekki, an upmarket area of the city of Lagos - in a seizure done in collaboration with the Hague-based Wildlife Justice Commission.

It resulted in the arrest of four suspects with 839kg (1,849lb) of pangolin scales and 145kg of ivory being confiscated.

It is the fourth major seizure of pangolin scales, ivory and other assorted wildlife parts in Nigeria within the last 13 months.

The authorities have expressed concern that the country is being used as a conduit by “a yet to be identified international cartel” in the illegal trade.

Pangolins are often smuggled to Asia via Nigeria from other parts of Africa where they live.

Pangolins are the most-trafficked animals in the world. The scales of the shy, gentle creatures are used in traditional medicines in Vietnam, China and other parts of Asia, where their meat is prized.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP