Customs seizes $193,000 hidden in yogurt carton at Abuja airport

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confiscated an undeclared sum of $193,000 concealed inside a carton of yogurt at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed that the interception occurred on Thursday.

The suspect, according to Maiwada, was a passenger on Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“Acting on intelligence, Customs officers conducted a detailed inspection, leading to the discovery of the concealed cash,” he said.

Maiwada stated that the failure to declare the money contravenes the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. These laws require travelers carrying over $10,000 or its equivalent to declare it to customs officials upon arrival or departure.

He further explained that advanced scanning technology helped detect irregularities in the passenger’s luggage, prompting a more thorough examination.

“The seized money has been formally handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited funds to the EFCC for further necessary action,” he added.

Reaffirming the agency’s dedication to enforcing financial regulations, Maiwada urged travelers to adhere to the mandatory declaration of large sums of money to avoid legal consequences.