CUSTOMS SEIZES UNDECLARED N289.5BN HIDDEN IN YOGHURT CARTON AT ABUJA AIRPORT
Read Time:1 Minute, 15 Second
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $193,000 (approximately N289.5 billion) in undeclared cash, concealed inside a carton of yoghurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, confirming that the seizure occurred on Thursday.
According to Maiwada, the suspect arrived aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
He explained that the interception was the result of credible intelligence and a thorough baggage inspection of the inbound passenger.
“Acting on intelligence, Customs officers conducted a detailed inspection, leading to the discovery of the concealed cash,” he said.
He explained that the undeclared funds violate the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Both Acts mandate that travellers carrying over $10,000 (or its equivalent in negotiable instruments) must declare it to Customs upon arrival or departure.
Maiwada explained that advanced scanning technology helped detect the unusual density of the suspect’s luggage.
“The seized money has been formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited funds to the EFCC for further necessary action,” he added.
He reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and curbing illicit financial flows across borders.
He also urged travellers to comply with the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when entering or leaving Nigeria.
NAN
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0