A large number of foreign cash being illegally smuggled out of the country has been seized.
Maldives Customs Services revealed the parties responsible for the attempted illegal transfer to be two Maldivians and an expatriate.
Customs stated that one of the Maldivians attempted to smuggle out MVR 2,154,145.51 worth foreign cash, whereas the amount being carried by the expatriate was MVR 617,139.00. A 31-year old was also stopped with MVR 1,383,174 in foreign cash.
As per regulations established to prevent money laundering and funding terrorism, people are expected to declare cash to Customs if the amount exceeds a value of US$ 20,000 or above.
The matter is currently under further investigation.
