€374,000 in undeclared cash found concealed in jacket at –Serbia-Bulgaria border

Officers from the Serbian Border Police, Serbian Customs and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, have intercepted more than €374,000 in undeclared cash at the Gradinaborder crossing, concealed inside a jacket modifiedwith hidden compartments.

The detection came during a routine exit-lane inspection of a German-registered vehicle travelling from Serbia into Bulgaria. Officers acting on strategic risk analysis directed the vehicle and its two occupants, a 53-year-old German national and a 56-year-old Turkish national, to a secondary inspection.

A search of the driver revealed that his jacket had been modifiedwith several handmade internal compartments containing€195,000 in cash. A further search of the luggage uncovered an additional€179,000 and $7,500. The driver statedthat the funds were intended for the purchase of construction materials in Turkey.

Under Serbian and EU cash control rules, travellers must declare currency above the legal threshold when crossing the border. Failure to do so may result in seizure and legal proceedings.

The currency has been seized by Serbian Customs. Both individuals have been detained by the Serbian Border Police and are subject to a criminal investigation.

Frontex deploys Standing Corps officers to support national authorities at border crossings across the EU and in partner countries including Serbia. At Gradinaand other crossing points, Standing Corps officers work alongside national staff on joint risk analysis, document checksand targeted inspections to detect cross-border crime, including the illegal movement of cash and goods.

The illegal movement of large sums of undeclared cash is a key enabler of organised crime, money launderingand tax evasion. EU regulations require travellers entering or leaving the EU to declare cash of €10,000 or more to customs authorities. Serbia applies equivalent rules at its borders in line with its obligations under the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement.