The
South African police are investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli
citizen who tried to bring $9.3m (about 150bn, in cash into the country
illegally, a spokesman said on Monday, in what might have been part of
an arms deal.
Reuters reported that the South
African Revenue Service seized the funds at Lanseria Airport,
north-west 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,”
Muller said in a statement.
South Africa’s City Press newspaper
reported that bundles of unused $100 bills packed in three suitcases
were transported in a small business jet from the Nigerian capital,
Abuja.
The three passengers said they were using it to buy arms for the Nigerian security services, City Press said.
South African airport security spokesman
Solomon Makgale confirmed a police investigation was underway but
declined to give details.
Culled from Punch
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