A Maltese passenger was retained at Malta International Airport by Customs after he was found trying to take more than €50,000 out of the country in breach of cash control legislation.

The Customs Department said in a statement this morning that while scrutinising passengers in connection with the illegal export of money towards the end of last year, its officials found a passenger carrying more than €50,000 in his shoes.

The passenger had not previously declared he was carrying this amount of money as he was obliged to do by law. He claimed he did not know of the existence of such regulations.

The department said that according to law, its official returned €10,000 to the passenger and confiscated the remaining €40,000.

The Economic Crime police were informed and investigations are continuing.