A 38-year-old man is facing criminal charges after being arrested at Hobart Airport with more than $150,000 in cash in his luggage.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police say 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 bag in the man’s checked luggage.
Another bundle of cash was discovered 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 being arrested at Hobart Airport with more than $150,000 in cash in his luggage.
He was arrested at the airport after apparently being unable to give a sufficient explanation as to why he had the amount of money.
He was charged with one count of handling property reasonably suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
The maximum penalty for this crime is three years in prison.
AFP Detective Sergeant 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 activities criminal and illicit.
“The AFP, in conjunction with Tasmania Police and our law enforcement partners across Australia, will continue to keep a vigilant eye on our airports and borders,” Detective Sergeant Hardcastle said.
“We will continue to ensure that all airports remain a hostile environment for criminal syndicates to prevent their illicit activities.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Tasmania Police say 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 sums of money: 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 were carrying out ongoing checks at air and sea ports to make these entry and exit points as hostile as possible to any criminal activity.
“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.
