Customs officials on Friday seized undeclared cash from a passenger at Malta International Airport, putting into force subsidiary legislation which came into force recently.

The department said in a statement officials from its Anti-Money Laundering Team and the Enforcement Unit were carrying out currency checks at the airport's departures lounge, screening passengers boarding a flight for Tunis.

A Libyan national was asked to proceed to the Customs Departures Office for a currency check. Searches on the passenger and his belongings yielded a discovery of $20,000.

Under new legislation pertaining to undeclared cash, which came into force recently, the passenger forfeited the cash being carried in excess to that allowed by law, the equivalent of €10,000, to avoid appearing in court and risking a heavy fine.

This is the first time that recently enacted subsidiary legislation was put into force.

This legislation states that if a passenger was found carrying undeclared cash that amounted to less than €20,000, he could agree to an out of court settlement with the Customs Department, avoiding losing the flight and appearing in court, where he could also possibly be fined.