CUSTOMS SNATCHES €651,5051, $800,575 IN CASH SMUGGLING BID
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over ₦2.28 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
KEY ISSUES:
– Undeclared Currencies : €651,505 and $800,575 found on Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, at Departure Terminal 2.
– Arrest : Onal was arrested on December 13, 2025, while attempting to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Dubai.
– Investigation : The case has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
– Regulations : Travellers are required to declare foreign currencies exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent.
– Penalties : Failure to declare or false declaration can result in prosecution and forfeiture.
– Collaboration : The NCS and EFCC are working together to combat financial crimes
The Comptroller noted that the action contravened regulations requiring travellers entering or leaving Nigeria to declare foreign currencies or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent.
He added that the interception was in line with the statutory mandate of the NCS to enforce anti-money laundering laws and prevent illicit financial movements across the country’s borders.
While advising travellers and businesspersons to ensure full and accurate disclosure, Nwokorie warned that failure to comply could attract legal consequences, including prosecution and forfeiture.
“Possessing foreign currency above the approved $10,000 threshold is not an offence. However, failure to declare, false declaration or under-declaration is punishable under the law,” he stated.
The suspect, alongside his international passport and the seized currencies, was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Receiving the items on behalf of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the Commission, Richard Adejumo, confirmed that the agency had taken over the case and assured the public of a thorough investigation.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to accountability and prosecution of offenders, while commending the sustained collaboration between the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service.
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