UK: rail traveller found with £45,000 in underpants

[John Ashworth]

Brief encounter: border officials find £45,000 in German's underpants

St Pancras traveller unable to explain euro banknote stash

* Press Association
* guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 August 2010 14.58 BST

A man who was unable to explain why he had £45,000 in banknotes stuffed inside his underwear as he tried to enter the UK was forced to give up his hidden stash, officials said today.

The 32-year-old German had the brief encounter with UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials after arriving at St Pancras international station, London, on a train from Brussels last week.

He claimed the cash, largely made up of €500 notes, was for business. But it was seized by officials until he can provide proof to a court that it is all legitimate, a UKBA spokesman said.

British bank wholesalers withdrew €500 notes from sale in May after evidence showed more than 90% of UK demand was linked to criminality.

Peter Avery, of the UKBA's criminal and financial investigations unit, said: "Officers are working round the clock at all our ports to prevent drugs, weapons and the proceeds of crime from entering or leaving the UK.

"Where we suspect that cash may be linked to criminal activity, we have the power to seize it and it will only be handed back if it is later proved to be legitimate."

About €55,000 was seized from the man, who was not arrested, on 18 August.

[bernarddodd]

Surely the poor fellow was only being prepared for the price of railway tickets in the UK
Cheers Bernard.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Very sharp Bernard !!!