South African police are investigating two Nigerians and an
Israeli citizen who tried to bring $9.3 million in cash into the country
illegally, a spokesman said on Monday.
Israeli citizen who tried to bring $9.3 million in cash into the country
illegally, a spokesman said on Monday.
There were suspicions that the money could be meant for
arms. The Nigerians, coming from Abuja, were not identified, according to a
report by Reuters.
arms. The Nigerians, coming from Abuja, were not identified, according to a
report by Reuters.
The plane, a Bombardier Challenger 600, had a Nigerian
flight crew on board. It was piloted by Captain Tunde Ojongbede, according to
City Press.
flight crew on board. It was piloted by Captain Tunde Ojongbede, according to
City Press.
Adrian Lackay, spokesperson for the SA Revenue Service
(Sars), confirmed that customs officers became suspicious when the passengers’
luggage was unloaded and put through the scanners just after 7pm. The officers
then investigated and found three suitcases full of cash.
(Sars), confirmed that customs officers became suspicious when the passengers’
luggage was unloaded and put through the scanners just after 7pm. The officers
then investigated and found three suitcases full of cash.
The passengers apparently told officials they were acting on
behalf of the Nigerian intelligence service.
behalf of the Nigerian intelligence service.
They provided documentation confirming they had come to
South Africa to buy weapons. It is not clear whether the Israeli passenger was
an intelligence operative or an arms dealer.
South Africa to buy weapons. It is not clear whether the Israeli passenger was
an intelligence operative or an arms dealer.
The National Conventional Arms Control Committee, which has
to approve the import and export of any weapons as well as issue permits for
such transactions, was not aware of any applications in this case.
to approve the import and export of any weapons as well as issue permits for
such transactions, was not aware of any applications in this case.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) seized the funds at
Lanseria airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on Sept. 5. The funds are being
held at the central bank as police investigate, SARS spokeswoman Marika Muller
said.
Lanseria airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on Sept. 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.
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 suitcase were transported in a small business
jet from the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
unused $100 bills packed in three suitcase 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.
the Nigerian security services, City Press said.
The aircraft was temporarily impounded, but was allowed to
return to Abuja on Monday morning.
return to Abuja on Monday morning.
According to unconfirmed reports, one of the passengers was
arrested.
arrested.
Further investigation revealed that the aircraft used to
belong to the American healthcare company Kimberly-Clark. But company
spokesperson Bob Brand said the firm had sold the plane years ago, and denied
that it had anything to do with the incident.
belong to the American healthcare company Kimberly-Clark. But company
spokesperson Bob Brand said the firm had sold the plane years ago, and denied
that it had anything to do with the incident.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration
aeroplane register, the Challenger, with the registration number N808HG, was
reregistered in the name of Bank of Utah Trustee last year. The address in the
register was given as Salt Lake City, US.
aeroplane register, the Challenger, with the registration number N808HG, was
reregistered in the name of Bank of Utah Trustee last year. The address in the
register was given as Salt Lake City, US.
Aviation industry insiders claim similar “owners” have
previously been involved in several controversial aircraft financing
transactions for aircraft in Africa.
previously been involved in several controversial aircraft financing
transactions for aircraft in Africa.
City Press has also established that the aircraft is used by
an entity called Swat Inc in Abuja, but no details of such a company could be
found.
an entity called Swat Inc in Abuja, but no details of such a company could be
found.
Another plane used by Swat Inc, a Hawker Siddeley 125, also
with an American registration number (N497AG), landed at Lanseria Airport last
month. That plane and its passengers remained in the country for two days
before returning to Abuja on August 13.
with an American registration number (N497AG), landed at Lanseria Airport last
month. That plane and its passengers remained in the country for two days
before returning to Abuja on August 13.
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