A daring attempt to smuggle $193,000 in cash, concealed within a carton of yoghurt, has been thwarted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Hobnob News reports that the Nigeria Customs Service successfully intercepted the undeclared funds, highlighting their ongoing efforts to combat illicit financial activities.
The seizure, which occurred on Thursday, was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering and a thorough baggage inspection conducted by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command. National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the interception in a statement released on Friday.
Customs Area Controller (CAC) Olumide Adebisi identified the suspect as Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, a 40-year-old passenger who arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight number 951. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a detailed inspection of Sarina’s luggage, leading to the discovery of the hidden cash.
“Around the early hours of today, we received an intelligence report, which proved very helpful. This afternoon, one Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, who boarded Ethiopian Airlines from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was found concealing a total sum of $193,000 inside a carton of yogurt,” Adebisi explained.
The CAC emphasized that the undeclared cash violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. These laws mandate that travelers carrying funds exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent in negotiable instruments must declare them to the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The law clearly states that if a person has funds above $10,000, they must declare it to Customs. Failure to do so could result in the forfeiture of the money, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both,” Adebisi stated.
Advanced scanning technology played a crucial role in detecting the unusual density of Sarina’s luggage. “We allowed him to proceed but closely monitored his baggage. Upon further inspection, we discovered that the density was irregular, so we instructed him to return. In his presence, we checked the package and found the undeclared money hidden inside the yogurt carton,” Adebisi revealed.
The intercepted funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution. “As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Adebisi confirmed.
The CAC reiterated the Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across borders. He warned travelers that attempting to bypass these regulations would result in severe legal consequences.
“All travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country,” Adebisi cautioned.
He assured that the command will continue to collaborate with sister agencies, particularly the EFCC, to strengthen border security and combat financial crimes. Travelers and stakeholders are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to lawful financial practices. Hobnob News will provide updates as the investigation progresses.
