The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an undeclared sum of $193,000 (approximately N289.5 billion) hidden in a yoghurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the seizure, stating that it took place on Thursday.
According to Maiwada, the suspect was a passenger on Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Acting on credible intelligence, Customs officers conducted a thorough baggage inspection, leading to the discovery of the concealed cash,” he stated.
He explained that failing to declare such funds violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, both of which require travellers carrying over $10,000 (or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) to declare the amount upon arrival or departure.
“Advanced scanning technology helped detect the unusual density of the suspect’s luggage, which led to further inspection and the eventual seizure,” he added.
The intercepted cash has since been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“As required by law, we are transferring the forfeited funds to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Maiwada said.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigerian borders.
Maiwada also urged travellers to comply with the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when entering or leaving the country.
(NAN)