2 Nigerians and Israeli citizen, tried to move $9.3 million in cash illegally into South Africa

TWO Nigerians and an Israeli citizen, who tried to move $9.3 million in cash illegally into South Africa, are being investigated by South African police, a report has said.

Spokesman of the police, according to Reuters, said on Monday that the money was suspected to be part of an arms deal.

The Reuters news agency said the South African Revenue Service (SARS) seized the funds at Lanseria airport, North-West of Johannesburg, on September 5.

“The funds are being held at the central bank as police investigate,” SARS spokeswoman, Marika Muller, was quoted to have 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.

According to Reuters, South Africa’s City Press newspaper had reported that bundles of 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 reportedly said.