Passenger tries to smuggle 223,000 euros

Abu Dhabi airport inspectors seized around 223,000 euros which a passenger tried to bring into the country without making a declaration in line with local regulations, press reports said on Monday.

Customs men suspected the passenger as he tried to hurry out of the lounge with his bag to avert being checked, Alittihad said.

When they opened his bag, they found nearly 223,000 eruos (Dh1.1 million), which he did not declare, the paper said.

“The inspectors registered the funds and referred the man to the competent authorities to take legal procedures in such a case,” the paper said, quoting airport officials.

Announcing new rules in early 2011, the Central Bank raised the ceiling of funds which must be declared by passengers arriving or leaving the UAE to Dh100,000 from Dh40,000 within a drive to combat money laundering and terror funding.

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