Customs agents at Malta International Airport have intercepted and confiscated almost €36,000 in undeclared cash from an Israeli passenger en route to Cyprus.

Officials were conducting random currency checks in the MIA departures lounge when they came across a passenger carrying €35,810 in undeclared cash.

According to Customs Malta, any cash value equivalent to or exceeding €10,000 has to be declared.

“If you plan to enter, leave or transit through Malta with €10,000 or more in cash – or its equivalent in other currencies, including commodities used as highly-liquid stores of value – you must declare it to the customs authorities.”

This passenger was trying to carry over three times the legally permitted cash value when they were stopped by customs officials.

Police have been informed about the incident and investigations into the case are ongoing.