Customs Uncovers $1.1M Hidden in Date Packs at Kano Airport

In a dramatic bust at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a staggering $1.1 million and 135,900 Saudi Riyals smuggled into the country.

According to NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the undeclared cash was discovered during a routine baggage check on a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia aboard Flight SV401. Officers found the money cleverly concealed inside packs of palm dates—an attempt to bypass security checks.

The passenger and the seized funds have since been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. Following legal proceedings, the court convicted the suspect and ordered the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government, citing violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

This latest operation underscores the Customs Service’s crackdown on illicit financial flows and commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s financial regulations. Officials continue to warn travelers about the legal requirement to declare large sums of cash when entering or leaving the country.

With smugglers getting craftier, could this be just the tip of the iceberg?