South African police are currently investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen who tried to smuggle $9.3 million in cash into the country on September 5th.
According to South Africa’s City Press newspaper, the money which was in bundles of unused $100 bills packed in three suitcase were transported in a small business jet, a bombadier Challenger 600 with a Nigerian crew and piloted by Captain Tunde Ojongbede.
The jet departed from Abuja and when it arrived South Africa, the money was discovered and when asked, the men said it was for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian security services.
Adrian Lackay, spokesperson for the SA Revenue Service (Sars), confirmed that customs officers became suspicious when the passengers’ luggage was unloaded and put through the scanners just after 7pm. The officers then investigated and found three suitcases full of cash.
The passengers apparently told officials they were acting on behalf of the Nigerian intelligence service.
They provided documentation confirming they had come to South Africa to buy weapons. It is not clear whether the Israeli passenger was an intelligence operative or an arms dealer.
The National Conventional Arms Control Committee, which has to approve the import and export of any weapons as well as issue permits for such transactions, was not aware of any applications in this case.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) seized the funds at Lanseria airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on September 5. The funds are being held at the central bank as police investigate, SARS spokeswoman Marika Muller said.
“The passengers’ luggage was searched after Customs officials detected irregularities. The money was detained as it was undisclosed/undeclared and above the prescribed legal limit.