Malta’s Customs Uncovers Over €1 Million In Undeclared Cash In Under Ten Months
Customs officials have uncovered over €1 million in undeclared cash over the last ten months, with the newly formed Anti-Money Laundering team key to improved results.
Made up of nine officials, the team focuses on the control and investigation of undeclared cash and its movement.
Beyond the creation of the specialised team, Customs also pointed to changes in regulations and improved data sharing as critical factors to the improvement.
According to new rules, passengers can now forfeit the cash (up to €10,000) to avoid appearing in court and risking a hefty fine.
If a passenger is found carrying undeclared cash that amounts to under €20,000, he can also agree to an out-of-court settlement with the Customs Department, also avoiding court.
It seems to be working. In June alone, officers seized just over a quarter of a million: €280,000
Customs, as a whole, has seen radical improvements over the last few years, with officials also now regularly recording record drug seizures year on year.