Alleged illegal money seized at Belfast Airport

Over €50,000 in cash has been seized from an Armagh resident as he tried to board his Barcelona flight on Monday at Belfast International Airport. Officials of the UK Border Agency arrested the man on suspicion of being engaged in money laundering.

After thorough interrogation by the authorities, he was then freed on bail to report to the police station in Antrim next month. The money he carried has been held by officials for further investigation.

Maggie Eyden, Assistant Director of UK Border Agency, said cash can be confiscated if there are reasons to suspect that it is intended to finance illegal businesses or it is the proceeds of illicit activities.

On the other issue, passengers of Belfast Airport are now being given with plastic bags to bring liquids through security checkpoints. Belfast Airport is the first in Northern Ireland to take the initiative, helping travellers meet the limits that are in place for taking liquids on board.

Passengers of the terminal can benefit from free airport bags, where they can put up to 100ml liquid containers. The Belfast Airport-branded resealable bags, available to travellers as they draw near the security checks, eliminate the need for passengers to buy their own plastic bags ahead of the trip.

The move is part of the £6 million plan to enhance customer service at Belfast Airport, including passenger terminal upgrades that are expected to take place by early 2010. Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of Belfast Airport, said the improvements target to create a cosy experience for air passengers using the terminal.