The Seme border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has confiscated fake United States Dollars, worth $6 million amongst other prohibited items and arrested about four members of cross border criminal syndicate.
The was even as the Command also seized 1300 by 30 liters jerry can of PMS equivalent 39.000 liters roughly over one fuel tanker of PMS from along the creeks with duty paid value of N9.366 million.
Speaking with newsmen, the Seme border Customs Area Comptroller, Dera Nnadi, said that the fake currency bears the same serial number adding that the money was being moved out of the country before it was intercepted at Gbaji customs post along the Lagos – Seme highway.
With an exchange rate of 460.5 naira, 6 million US dollars equals 2.7 billion naira.
In explaining how the fake dollars was intercepted, Comptroller General Dera Nadi who assumed duties two weeks ago said the seizure was disturbing.
Nnadi also disclosed that besides the confiscation of the currency, a total of six international passport of Malta Republic bearing the same photograph but with different names.
According to the Customs boss, the same lady whose name is on the passport also has six international driver’s licenses with her photograph but with six different names.
He said: “Our officers at Gbaji check point intercepted a vehicle and upon searching them, we discover the currency you are seeing here. These are fake United States Dollar Bills.
“When we counted them, it amounted to $6million United States Dollars Bills in fake currency but it will take the eagle eye of a trained officer to detect that they are fake. One of the landmarks is that some of the Bills bear the same serial number besides that, it will be very difficult for anybody to detect that these Dollar Bills are fake.
“Two people were arrested in connection with this development.
“Similarly, to this, we also arrested few hours after this, we also arrested two other passengers in another vehicle and upon searching them and their baggage, we discover some international passports.
