Custom officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport have arrested six women trying to smuggle Sh102 million into the country.
The six had arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight
They had luggage containing shoes and clothes.
“The images showed items that looked like currency. Upon secondary verification, it was confirmed that the luggage contained us currency amounting to 857,300 US dollars,” officials said.
KRA officials intercepted and deposited into the customs warehouse for further investigations.
The women said they are regular travelers and they import clothes and shoes.
KRA said passengers are supposed to declare all cargo and items they are carrying at the ports of entry and exit as required under the provisions of the Second and Third Schedules of the EAC Customs Management Act.
In February this year, KRA officials intercepted Sh238 million in foreign currency from a traveler.
The suspect of Kenyan nationality was arrested after arriving in the country from Bujumbura, Burundi.
The money packed as a parcel containing two million dollars was seized following a wrongful declaration on the intended destination.
KRA said upon arrival, the passenger made a declaration of the currency indicating the origin as Banque de Credit de Bujumbura (BCB) to a recipient Brinks Global Services, Kenya.
Commissioner Customs and Border Control, Lillian Nyawanda said KRA had invited Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) to assist in investigating the matter as a possible money-laundering attempt. The money was held as investigations continue.
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