The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered $193,000 in undeclared foreign currency concealed in a yoghurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Penpushing reports that a statement by the Comptroller at the customs area controller for the Federal Capital Territory Command Olumide Adebisi explained that the foreign currency seizure occurred on Friday following a targeted baggage inspection based on credible intelligence, and gave identity of the suspect as a 40-year-old Kamilu Sarina, who arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Around the early hours of today (Friday), 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 yoghurt,”
Penpushing further reports that Adebisi said the suspect failed to declare the funds, in violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which require travellers in possession of over $10,000 to declare such sums to customs upon entry or exit.
“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’, he stated.
Penpushing also reports that the Comptroller at the customs area controller for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command explained that the concealment was uncovered during baggage scanning.
“When Mr. Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina’s luggage was scanned, we detected an unusual density. 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 yoghurt carton’, he added
Penpushing reports that as at the time of filing this report Adebisi disclosed that the intercepted currency has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Comptroller while reiterating the Customs’ commitment to financial regulation enforcement, warned travellers against attempting to bypass currency declaration rules.
“All travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country’, he emphasised.
“The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1995 provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations violates Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties’, he added.
Penpushing further reports that Adebisi also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for creating an enabling working environment that has improved operational efficiency within the Command.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
