A significant interception occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Nigeria Customs Service officials discovered $193,000 concealed inside a carton of yoghurt. The operation was executed based on credible intelligence and meticulous baggage checks.
The suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, aged 40, arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951. Customs Area Controller Olumide Adebisi reported that the unusual density detected during baggage scans prompted further inspection, leading to the discovery of the undeclared cash.
This incident violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, which requires travelers to declare any amount exceeding $10,000. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, including forfeiture of the money and possible imprisonment.
The intercepted funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. Adebisi emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Customs Service to enforce financial regulations and prevent illicit financial flows.
He reiterated the importance of travelers adhering to legal requirements regarding cash declarations, warning that those attempting to evade these regulations would face strict legal consequences.
