Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted a staggering $193,000 in cash concealed inside a carton of yogurt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The discovery, confirmed in a statement on Friday by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, was made by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Command during a routine baggage check, backed by credible intelligence.
According to the Customs Area Controller, Olumide Adebisi, the suspect — identified as Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, 40 — arrived in Nigeria on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Acting on intelligence, officers conducted a detailed search, uncovering the hidden cash during an inspection of his luggage.
“The suspect attempted to smuggle $193,000, carefully packed inside a yogurt carton, bypassing the mandatory cash declaration process,” Adebisi stated.
He emphasized that the act violates the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which require travelers to declare any cash exceeding $10,000 upon entry or exit from the country.
“Failure to declare such an amount attracts severe penalties, including forfeiture, imprisonment of up to two years, or both,” Adebisi warned.
The controller credited advanced scanning technology for detecting unusual density in the suspect’s baggage, which prompted further checks.
“In line with legal protocols, the seized funds have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Adebisi added.
He reiterated the agency’s dedication to curbing illicit financial flows, urging travelers to strictly adhere to currency declaration laws to avoid facing legal consequences.
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