A 38-year-old man is facing criminal charges after he was allegedly caught with more than $150,000 cash in his luggage at Hobart airport.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police claim the discovery was made during a routine baggage check at the airport on Thursday morning.
It is alleged that more than $150,000 in cash was hidden in a green supermarket shopping bag in the man’s checked luggage.
Another bundle of cash was found in the lining of the bag, police said.
The man is from Alexandria in Sydney and was about to board a plane home.
A 38-year-old man is facing criminal charges after allegedly being caught at Hobart airport with more than $150,000 cash in his luggage
He was arrested at the airport because he reportedly could not adequately explain why he was carrying that amount of money.
He was charged with one count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
The maximum penalty for this crime is three years in prison.
AFP Detective Inspector Aaron Hardcastle said the agency was working closely with Tasmania Police and Hobart Airport to ensure domestic and international flights were not used as transit routes for criminal and illegal activity.
“The AFP, along with Tasmania Police and our law enforcement partners across Australia, will continue to monitor our airports and borders,” Detective Inspector Hardcastle said.
“We will continue to ensure that all airports remain a hostile environment for criminal syndicates to prevent their illegal activities.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police claim the discovery was made during a routine baggage check at the airport on Thursday morning
“This arrest should serve as a serious warning to anyone attempting to travel through our country with large and suspicious amounts of cash. The AFP will target and identify you, seize your alleged illicit wealth and bring you to justice.”
Commander Ian Whish-Wilson of the Tasmania Police Crime and Intelligence Command said police are continuously monitoring air and seaports to make these entry and exit points as hostile to criminal activity as possible.
“We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure criminals do not profit from illegal activities in Tasmania,” Commander Whish-Wilson said.
The money was seized by the police.