Officials
of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted
€325,640 as well as $30,000, about N175 million being smuggled from
Greece and Austria.
The
suspected laundered money concealed in envelopes and shoes were seized
at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during the
inward screening of passengers on a Turkish Airline flight. Two suspects
have been arrested in connection with the smuggled currencies.
NDLEA
commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said the money was found
during routine search of passengers. “During the inward screening of
passengers on a Turkish flight, we discovered €325,640 and $30,000.
“Two
suspected passengers, Edos Nicholas found in possession of €279,190 and
Hallowell Prince Lovely, found in possession of €46,450 and $30,000
were also apprehended,” Ahmadu said.
Muhammad
Mustapha Abdallah, chairman/chief executive of the NDLEA, had directed
the director of Assets and Financial Investigation of the Agency,
Victoria Egbase, to take over the investigation.
According
to Abdallah, “this is a suspected case of money laundering. Criminal
groups seek to conceal the origin of illegally obtained money. It is
pertinent therefore for us to trace the origin of the money and prevent
the introduction of criminal funds into the economy. Consequently, I
have directed that the case be meticulously investigated.”
Preliminary
investigation reveals that both suspects are frequent travellers who
are the target of International Drug Trafficking Organisation. Besides,
their sources of income must be verified.
Culled from Business Day
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