Gangs split up smuggled cash to evade detection

Criminal gangs trying to smuggle cash out of the country are trying to avoid detection by splitting the money into smaller amounts and using multiple couriers in a practice called “smurfing”.

Customs officers said gang bosses are keeping individual cash amounts below the legal threshold of €6,348 but are sending more than one courier on the same flight. Cash amounts above this must be declared and documentation given to prove the cash is from legitimate sources.

Figures released to the Irish Examiner show more than €10m in cash linked to criminality has been seized by customs officials since 2005 and more than half has been so far forfeited to the State after court orders.