A Sydney man has faced Perth Magistrates Court today (15 March, 2023) charged after he allegedly attempted to fly interstate with about $300,000 cash hidden inside his carry-on luggage.
AFP officers were called to security screening at Perth Airport yesterday afternoon (14 March, 2023), after security officers allegedly identified a large amount of cash in the man's bag.
AFP officers arrested the man, 29, who was preparing to board a flight to Sydney, after he allegedly refused to provide sufficient information relating to his travel with the significant amount of money, or his home address.
Police seized about three plastic bags containing bundles of mainly $50 banknotes from the passenger's suitcase, along with more than $6400 in his wallet, which are suspected to be the proceeds of crime. In addition, officers seized the man's two mobile phones and a tablet for further investigation.
The man has been charged with one count of dealing with property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.9(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is three years' imprisonment.
During the court hearing today, the man was granted bail with strict conditions to reappear in Perth Magistrates Court on 23 June, 2023.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector David Blockley said the AFP was working closely with partners to ensure airports were not part of the criminal supply chain and praised the alertness of Perth Airport security staff.
"The AFP is committed to seizing the proceeds of crime from alleged criminals, who are only motivated by profit and greed at the expense of law-abiding Australians," he said.
