Alleged Israeli arms dealer arrested in South Africa
The man, along with two Nigerians, tried to smuggle $9.3 million into the country, police say
Police in South Africa have arrested an Israeli citizen as well as two Nigerians who attempted to smuggle $9.3 million in cash into the country as part of a possible arms deal, Reuters reported.
The three were arrested at Lanseria International Airport outside Johannesburg on September 5, police said Monday, and the money, packed into three suitcases, was confiscated.
South Africa’s City Press newspaper reported that the men had told authorities they were transporting the money to buy weapons for Nigeria’s armed forces.
“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,” a spokesman for the South African Revenue Service said.
In February two Israeli arms dealers were arrested on suspicion of selling military aircraft parts to Iran. Avihai Weinstein and Eli Cohen were under investigation by the Israel Police and the Defense Ministry’s security investigation arm. The two men were both investigated multiple times for allegedly trying to sell and ship military equipment to the Islamic Republic in violation of international sanctions.