CUSTOMS
The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted US$265,000 in undeclared foreign currency, unregistered pharmaceutical products and more than 3,000 cartons of herbicide containing a prohibited chemical at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.
The Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed the seizures during a press briefing in Kano.
HOW THE $265,000 WAS INTERCEPTED
According to the Customs Service, the foreign currency was intercepted on Sunday, September 26, 2026, when a male Nigerian passenger arrived in Kano from New Delhi, India, aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET941.
The passenger’s luggage was flagged during scanning using Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology. A subsequent physical examination led to the discovery of $265,000 concealed among his personal belongings.
Customs said the passenger, the seized currency and relevant documents would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, for further investigation.
The Command said the interception followed continued public sensitisation on the lawful movement and declaration of foreign currency and other negotiable instruments.
UNREGISTERED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTERCEPTED
The Command also intercepted 2,143 sachets of medicines, 1,423 packs of empty pharmaceutical packaging materials, and 10,056 cartons of empty pesticide packaging materials at MAKIA.
The items were subjected to a joint physical examination by Customs and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to Customs, the examination established that the pharmaceutical products were not registered with NAFDAC, while there was no evidence that the packaging materials originated from the original manufacturers.
The seized pharmaceutical products and packaging materials will be handed over to NAFDAC’s Ports Inspection Directorate in Kano for further action.
OVER 3,000 CARTONS OF HERBICIDE
Customs also displayed more than 3,000 cartons of “Para Best” herbicide, which the Service said contained the prohibited chemical “Paracot.”
The Acting Controller described the intercepted products as potential threats to public health and intellectual property and said the Command would intensify surveillance to prevent the importation and circulation of unregistered medicines, prohibited chemicals and other potentially hazardous products.
OVER ₦2.5 BILLION IN UNDECLARED FOREIGN CURRENCY AND NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
The Acting Controller further disclosed that from January 2026 to date, the Kano/Jigawa Area Command had intercepted undeclared foreign currency and other negotiable instruments with a combined value of more than ₦2.5 billion in equivalent value.
INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION
The EFCC and NAFDAC commended the collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, describing the operation as an example of inter-agency cooperation in tackling illicit financial activities and protecting public health.
The Customs Service said the seized currency would be subjected to further investigation by the EFCC, while the pharmaceutical products and packaging materials would be handled by NAFDAC in accordance with its regulatory mandate.
CONCLUSION
The interception of $265,000 in undeclared foreign currency, unregistered pharmaceutical products and more than 3,000 cartons of herbicide at MAKIA highlights the ongoing enforcement activities of the Nigeria Customs Service in Kano.
However, the seizure of the currency is still subject to further investigation. The passenger involved should therefore not be described as having committed a criminal offence unless established through the appropriate legal process.
Sources: PRNigeria; P.M. News.
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