Customs intercepts €24,347 in undeclared cash at the airport

Following a positive indication by Canine Officer Żekkin, Customs Anti-Money Laundering Officials stationed at the airport elevated €13,487 in undeclared cash from a female Columbian passenger, who failed to present herself to Customs for the statutory declaration prior to her departure from Malta.

In a separate case, in the preceding days, Canine Officer Sophie reacted positively when sniffing a handbag. Consequently, €10,860 were elevated from a female Moroccan passenger on her way to Morocco.

Both passengers agreed to settle the matter administratively by paying the relative fines.

Any amount of money (including cheques and gold) that amounts to €10,000 or more must be declared to Customs. This applies regardless whether the money is being carried by the passenger or is being shipped in a package. Failure to declare this money is a criminal offence.

If the money is not declared and amounts to €30,000, the person may choose to enter into a oneoff agreement with Customs instead of being taken to Court. In the case of an agreement, the penalty is 50% of the sum that is greater than €10,000 together with a payment fee of €25, allowing the passenger then to travel;

If the passenger chooses to be taken to Court, the fine imposed by the Court is 55% of the sum greater than €10,000 together with a fee of €50. Additionally, the sum greater than €10,000 is kept in a depository for a fixed period until the competent authorities check whether there is a link between this money and other criminal activity. If it turns out that there is no such link, the money is then returned to the passenger.