A Syrian man was held by Customs officials at Malta International Airport on Sunday afternoon after he was caught trying to leave the island with a large sum of cash in breach of Exchange Control Regulations, a spokesman for the Customs Department said yesterday.

The Syrian was stopped by the Customs Enforcement Squad at the departure lounge during routine checks to see whether excessive, undeclared sums of money were being taken out of the country.

The Syrian, who lives here, was found to be carrying US$18,000 and €8,525 on his person. A further US$20,000 were found in his bag, the spokesman said.

According to regulations which came into force last June 15, anyone entering or leaving the island has to declare to Customs any cash in hand amounting to €10,000 and over.

The spokesman said the measure is meant to curb the laundering of money coming from criminal activity or the financing of terrorism.

Police from the Economic Crime Squad are investigating.

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