Editor's note: An image of the cash is available via Hightail
A Victorian man is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today (15 July, 2024) charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime after the AFP allegedly found $830,000 in cash in his luggage at Gold Coast Airport.
An AFP cash and drug detection dog and AFP canine operations officer identified the bags as items of interest as the man prepared to fly from the Gold Coast to Mildura in March, 2024.
The Mildura man, 34, was charged after the AFP searched his checked and carry-on baggage and allegedly seized $830,000 in cash.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Mary Bolton said the AFP worked tirelessly to take the profit out of organised crime.
"Organised crime groups are driven by greed and try to hide their ill-gotten wealth from authorities,'' Detective Acting Superintendent Bolton said.
"Removing the profit from crime is key to disrupting organised criminal activity and delivering maximum damage to the criminal environment.
"The AFP has ensured this money will not be used to fund other criminal activities."
The Mildura man, 34, man was charged with one count of dealing with cash or property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of general crime – money or property worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(2a) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years' imprisonment.