The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has intercepted $193,000 in undeclared foreign currency concealed within a yogurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This seizure underscores the agency’s commitment to combating money laundering and enforcing financial regulations.
Acting on credible intelligence, customs officers conducted a thorough baggage check on an inbound passenger, leading to the discovery. The suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina (40), arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, the Customs Area Controller, detailed the operation, stating that advanced scanning technology detected irregularities in Sarina’s luggage. Upon inspection, officers found the undeclared cash hidden inside the yogurt carton.
This action violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate that travelers possessing funds exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent must declare them upon arrival or departure. Failure to do so can result in forfeiture of the money, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
Following the seizure, the intercepted funds were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Comptroller Adebisi expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for fostering an environment that enhances operational efficiency within the service.
