Customs: €270,000 in cash was for drugs

CUSTOMS believe a man they stopped carrying more than €270,000 in cash through Dublin Airport was on his way to purchase a massive haul of drugs.

The suspect had the cash stuffed into his hand baggage and was about to get a flight to London when he was stopped on Monday.

“The cash, €274,000, was inside what would be described as a hold-all bag, with just a couple of items of clothing inside,” said Michael Fitzgerald of Customs at Dublin Airport.

The man, who was previously known to Customs officers, was stopped as a result of profiling by staff.

The man, who celebrated his 30th birthday last Saturday, is from the Dundalk area of Co Louth.

A Customs spokesman said they suspect the money was going to be used in a drugs deal.

“Officers believe the cash was being exported to fund the purchase and importation of a large consignment of drugs.”

Customs yesterday secured a three-month detention order under the Proceeds of Crime Act allowing them to temporarily keep the money.

Judge William Early in Dublin District Court granted the order to enable Customs officers to carry out further investigations.