Two charged after cash stuffed into suitcases seized at Heathrow airport
Two people have been charged with money laundering after approximately £1.2 million in cash was seized by Border Force officers at Heathrow airport.
Czech nationals Zdenek Kamaryt, 37, and Michala Repperova, 26, were questioned by Border Force officers at around 9am on Sunday, 8 November before they were due to leave on a flight to Dubai from Terminal 2. Officers searched three suitcases, where they found £1.2 million, and two hand luggage bags which contained a further £30,000. The cash was in mixed denomination notes.
The pair were arrested and the investigation was referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Chris Philp, Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts, said:
This is the second largest individual cash seizure at the border in the space of five weeks and shows that Border Force will not relent in their search for money believed to be connected with criminality.
Clamping down on the export of undeclared cash from the UK is vital in our fight against organised criminal gangs.
Zdenek Kamaryt and Michala Repperova, of no fixed UK address, appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 10 November where they were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on 10 December.
On 3 October, Border Force officers at Heathrow airport Terminal 2 seized almost £2 million in cash.