Olympic boxer Luke Jackson charged after allegedly caught with $150,000 cash at Hobart airport
- Jackson was arrested Thursday
- Supposedly found with a large amount of cash
A retired Olympic boxer has been charged after more than $150,000 in cash was allegedly found hidden in his luggage at an airport.
Luke Jackson, 38, who represented Australia as captain of the boxing team at the 2012 London Olympics, was arrested at Hobart airport on Thursday.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) claims the money seized is the proceeds of crime.
The money was allegedly found in a green shopping bag from the supermarket in the check-in luggage during a routine baggage check at the airport on Thursday morning.
Luke Jackson was charged after he was allegedly found with $150,000 cash in his luggage at Hobart airport
An additional bundle of cash was subsequently discovered by AFP and Tasmania Police officers hidden in the lining of the bag.
AFP officers arrested the former pro-boxer at the terminal after he allegedly failed to provide sufficient information as to why he was carrying the large amount of cash.
Jackson was charged with one count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime and faced the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was bailed to appear next month.
The money was found in a green supermarket shopping bag in the check-in luggage during a routine baggage check at the airport on Thursday morning.
AFP officers arrested the former pro-boxer at the terminal after he allegedly failed to provide sufficient information as to why he was carrying the large amount of cash.
The 38-year-old grew up in Tasmania but now lives in Alexandria, Sydney. He won six Australian titles and his last fight before retiring was a unanimous points victory against Tyson Lantry in Sydney in August.
AFP Detective Aaron Hardcastle said Jackson’s arrest served as a “serious warning” to anyone traveling the country with suspicious amounts of cash.
“The AFP, together with Tasmania Police and our law enforcement partners across Australia, will continue to monitor our airports and borders,” he said.
“The AFP will target and identify you, seize your alleged illicit wealth and bring you to justice.”
Jackson won six Australian titles and his last fight before retiring was a unanimous points victory against Tyson Lantry in Sydney in August