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Ukrainian pensioner tried to smuggle almost half a million euros into Germany

Customs officers at Munich Airport confiscated almost €455,000 in cash that a 66-year-old pensioner from Ukraine was trying to bring with him. This was reported by the Main Customs Office in Munich on 26 January, reports citingEvropeiska Pravda.

The incident occurred on 19 November 2023. During the check at the entrance to the terminal, the pensioner said that he was carrying about 300 euros in cash, which was confirmed by the check.

But after that, “before boarding, an unknown man handed the traveller his hand luggage,” the report says.

“After a second check of the traveller, almost 455 thousand euros were found in the hand luggage. The cash was confiscated, and penalty proceedings were initiated against the man,” Munich Customs said.

A spokeswoman for the agency, Marie Mueller, said that the Ukrainian was unable to explain the source of the money.

The investigation is still ongoing. Customs spokesman Christian Schüttenkopf said that law enforcement officers are checking the money laundering version of the case. If the origin of the cash is not confirmed, “all the money will be confiscated in favour of the state”.

The Munich Customs Office reminded that when entering the EU from outside the country, cash and jewellery worth more than €10,000 must be declared in writing.