by Chinwe Okafor
39-year-old South African, Nosisi Nqgula, was arrested on Thursday evening by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for allegedly smuggling foreign currencies worth about N710.7m to Nigeria.
According to reports by Punch, the suspect was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos with $373,725 and €2,120 concealed inside packs of oats.
The discovery was made during an inward screening of passengers on a South African airline flight en route from Johannesburg.
According to the agency, two Nigerians ─ Damian Akamelu and Prophet Cyprian Chigere ─ were also being interrogated in connection with the seizure.
In her defense, Nqgula said she was sent by a Nigerian to deliver the money to one Akamelu. Accoding to her, “I live in Johannesburg. I was given a bag by a Nigerian to deliver to Damian Akamelu,”.
The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said, “The mode of concealment presents reasonable grounds for money laundering.
“Five packs of oats were found to contain $373,725 and €2,120. Two Nigerians are also being interrogated.”
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