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South Africa probes Israeli, 2 Nigerians over $9.3m. cash seizure
Tax authority seizes three suitcases packed with unused $100 bills at Lanseria airport; suspects say cash was to buy arms for Nigerian security services.
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, in what might have been part of an arms deal.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS), the national tax-collecting authority, seized the funds at Lanseria airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on September 5. Travelers arriving in South Africa with more than $2,300 are subject to stringent checks.
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.
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.
The three passengers said they were using it to buy arms for the Nigerian security services, City Press said.
South African airport security spokesman Solomon Makgale confirmed a police investigation was underway but declined to give details.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
