Two Nigerian men and one Isreali are implicated in financial crimes after they were caught with undeclared $9.3 million (N1,517,760,000) at Lanseria Airport, in Johannesburg, South Africa on September 5, 2014.
The money was seized by the South African police at the airport after they were caught illegally taking the money into the country, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has said.
SARS spokeswoman, Marika Muller, confirming the incident 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.”
According to local newspaper, South Africa’s City Press, the funds were packaged in three suitcases and transported in a small business jet from Abuja, Nigeria.
The newspaper also claimed the three passengers said they were to use the funds to purchase arms for the Nigerian security services.
The South African airport security spokesperson, Solomon Makgale, has confirmed the incident stating that a police investigation was ongoing.
