Nigeria Customs intercepts $193,000 stashed in yogurt carton
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a sum of $193,000 concealed in a yogurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The discovery was made by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command during a baggage check, acting on credible intelligence.
According to the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the interception occurred on Thursday and led to the arrest of the suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, a 40-year-old passenger who arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951.
Customs Area Controller Olumide Adebisi explained that the concealed cash was uncovered using advanced scanning technology. “We received an intelligence report earlier today, which proved very helpful. Upon scanning the suspect’s luggage, we detected an unusual density and proceeded with a thorough inspection, leading to the discovery of the hidden money inside the yogurt carton,” Adebisi said.
The undeclared cash violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate travelers carrying amounts exceeding $10,000 to declare it upon arrival or departure. Failure to comply can result in forfeiture, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.
The intercepted funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
Adebisi reaffirmed the Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and warned travelers against bypassing currency declaration laws, stressing that “non-compliance attracts severe penalties.”
