Customs Seizes $193,000 Hidden in Yogurt Carton at Abuja Airport

Customs Seizes $193,000 Hidden in Yogurt Carton at Abuja Airport

 The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an undeclared sum of $193,000 concealed inside a yogurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The cash seizure occurred on Thursday, March 20, 2025, following an intelligence-led baggage inspection on an inbound passenger.

Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, the Customs Area Controller for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, confirmed the arrest while addressing journalists at the airport’s International Wing. He identified the suspect as 40-year-old Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina, who arrived in Nigeria aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“Around the early hours of today, 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,” Adebisi said.

He explained that the undeclared funds violated both the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which mandate that travellers carrying cash exceeding $10,000 must declare it upon arrival or departure.

Providing insight into how the cash was uncovered, Comptroller Adebisi revealed that advanced scanning technology flagged the suspect’s luggage for further inspection.

“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 yogurt carton.”

The seized funds were immediately transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.

“As required by law, we are handing over the forfeited money to the EFCC for further necessary action,” Adebisi stated.

Reaffirming the Customs Service’s commitment to curbing financial crimes and illicit fund movements, he warned that travellers who attempt to evade currency declaration laws would face severe legal consequences.

“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 emphasized.

He also assured that the FCT Customs Command would continue working closely with relevant agencies, particularly the EFCC, to enhance border security and financial crime enforcement.

Comptroller Adebisi further acknowledged the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for providing an enabling environment that has strengthened the operational efficiency of Customs officers across the country.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service has ramped up enforcement of financial regulations to curb illicit fund movements. Travellers are urged to comply with currency declaration laws and avoid engaging in financial crimes that could attract strict penalties.

By PRNigeria