In a significant enforcement action, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a sum of $193,000 cleverly concealed inside a yoghurt carton at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The discovery was made following an intelligence-led operation and meticulous baggage screening conducted on March 20.
Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, the Customs Area Controller, disclosed that the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kamilu Sarina, arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Based on credible intelligence, our officers carried out a thorough examination, which resulted in uncovering the concealed currency,” Adebisi stated. He emphasized that failing to declare cash exceeding $10,000 upon entry or exit contravenes the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Non-compliance with this legal requirement carries serious consequences, including the possibility of forfeiture and imprisonment of up to two years, Adebisi warned.
Detailing how the illicit funds were discovered, he credited the success to advanced scanning technology, which flagged inconsistencies in the suspect’s luggage. “Our scanners detected an unusual density in the baggage. After allowing him to proceed initially, our officers continued monitoring. A subsequent detailed inspection led to the revelation of the undeclared cash inside the yoghurt carton,” he explained.
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In accordance with due process, the confiscated funds have been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of adhering to financial regulations when traveling. Compliance with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995 is non-negotiable, as violations attract severe legal consequences.
