The Nigerian Customs Service on Tuesday intercepted and confiscated giant brown paper wrappings containing a tranche of foreign currency totalling $8.06 million on the tarmac of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Hameed Ali, the customs comptroller-general, disclosed at a press conference in Lagos that the money was found in a vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).
One suspect, identified as Chimezie Okonkwo, who is the driver of the vehicle has been arrested and taken into custody for further investigation, Mr Ali said.
“From the day we seized this money, no bank has come to claim ownership. But our investigation will reveal the mystery behind the owners,” said Mr Ali.
He added that the arrest was made when customs operatives suspected illegal movement of persons at the ‘E’ Wing of the airport tarmac.
“Acting on credible information, the command operatives at about 1200 hours on 16 January 2020, intercepted illegal movement of foreign currency at the tarmac,” he said.
“The consignment packed in a coaster bus was loaded in six big Bagco bags.
“On Saturday, 18 January 2020, an inventory of the consignment was taken, and was witnessed by representatives of the Directorate of State Security, Customs Intelligence Unit, Anti-Money-Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit, Customs Police and the suspect.
“At the end of the inventory taking, a total number of 20 sealed wraps were opened, counted, re-seated and re-wrapped under video coverage from the beginning of the exercise to the end. The total amount intercepted stood at $8,065,612.”
He said the consignment has been kept in safe custody, while preliminary investigations have commenced on the seizure.
“We will update you as the investigations unfold” he added.
The Customs boss advised Nigerian travellers and those in business to declare the cash with them if they chose to carry such.
“The threshold remains $10,000 and I will like to give assurance that they have nothing to fear in the process.”