ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING: Customs arrests passenger @ Lagos Airport with $767,000
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Ikeja, Lagos have arrested and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a passenger, who allegedly had $767,500 cash on him.
The passenger, identified as Yusuf Taofeeq Olanrewaju, with passport number A03758685 was arrested Customs officials while trying to board an Emirates Airlines flight to Hong Kong via Duba, through the E-wing of the airport.
The passenger with the said amount was handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
The Customs Public Relations Officer, MMA Command, NCS, Mrs. Thelma Williams, said that, though the passenger declared the said amount on the prescribed forms CDF1A and CDF1B, he could not explain satisfactorily the source of the money.
Williams explained that investigations by Customs revealed that the suspect was a frequent traveler.
She said: “Upon investigation, the passenger, Yusuf Taofeeq Olanrewaju, was noted as a frequent traveler with currency as follows: on April 27, 2012, $280,000 to Hong Kong.
“On July 21, 2012, he travelled with $395,000 to Hong Kong. On September 15, 2012, he travelled with $525,000 to Hong Kong.
“On November 3, 2012, he travelled with $10,000 to China. And this present case, January 10, 2013 $767,500 to Hong Kong.”
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