Officials of the Serbian Border Police, Serbian Customs and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, seized more than 374,000 euros of undeclared cash at the Gradina border crossing, found in a jacket that had been modified with secret compartments, Frontex announced.
The cash was discovered during a routine control of a vehicle with German license plates that was traveling from Serbia to Bulgaria.
The vehicle and two passengers, a 53-year-old German citizen and a 56-year-old Turkish citizen, were referred for a more detailed examination based on a strategic risk assessment.
An examination of the driver revealed that his jacket had several hand-made inner compartments containing 195,000 euros. An additional inspection of the luggage found another 179,000 euros and 7,500 dollars. The driver stated that the money was intended for the purchase of construction materials in Turkey.
According to the rules of Serbia and the European Union on cash control, travelers must declare amounts above the legal threshold when crossing the border. The cash was seized by Serbian Customs officials, and both passengers were detained and a criminal investigation was initiated against them.
Frontex deploys Permanent Unit officers to support national authorities at border crossings across the EU and in partner countries, including Serbia.
The illegal transfer of large amounts of undeclared cash is a key factor in organized crime, money laundering and tax evasion.
EU regulations require travelers entering or leaving the EU to declare cash of €10,000 or more to customs authorities. Serbia applies the same rules at its borders in accordance with the obligations from the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia.
(TYPE/Source: Fena/Photo: Frontex)
