Customs employees at Vienna-Schwechat Airport discovered the money at the beginning of April, as the Finance Ministry announced on Sunday. The banknotes were hidden in plastic bags and in various items of clothing, as the “Kronen Zeitung” also reported.
The men were exposed during the security check. First, a large sum of cash was found on a man from Afghanistan. Due to the lack of cash declaration, customs checked the man. When questioned, he stated that he supposedly got the money from the Viennese grocery store of his cousin who was traveling with him, which was then also checked on the spot. According to their own statements, the relatives wanted to use the money for shopping in Istanbul.
Money was packed in suitcases
Initially, customs employees discovered almost 320,000 euros in hand luggage. Both men said they did not have any other cash with them. However, more than 380,000 euros were found in the suitcase that had already been checked in. The undeclared cash was temporarily seized and financial criminal proceedings were initiated against the two Afghans.
“When traveling to another EU country, cash over 10,000 euros must be declared. This procedure is important in order to prevent illegal money movements such as money laundering and the financing of terrorism,” said Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP).
