During a routine Customs cash control exercise at the Malta International Airport, nearly €130,000 in undeclared cash was found in a passenger's hand luggage.

The passenger, a Libyan National, was stopped for cash control in the departures lounge and an inspection on him personally, his luggage and his personal belongings was conducted.

The Customs Anti-Money Laundering Team discovered a false bottom in the passenger's hand luggage which concealed the amount of €127,506 in large denominations.

This is the second largest undeclared cash seizure made by the Customs Anti-Money Laundering Section, making 2019 a record-breaking year in terms of undeclared cash seizures.

The Police Anti-Money Laundering section was immediately informed and the passenger was placed under arrest pending investigation. As per European and national law, €10,000 were returned to the passenger and the rest withheld pending investigation.

Just two days ago, Sophie, the Customs sniffer dog, gave a positive indication on an Ukranian national travelling to Istanbul during routine checks at the departure lounge. The passenger was discovered to be carrying €10,559 and agreed to an out-of-court settlement were he forfeited the €559.