Pakistani national allegedly attempts to fly under another name and conceals $100k in cash at Perth Airport

A Pakistani national has been charged after allegedly attempting to fly under another person’s name and concealing $100,000 cash in his carry-on luggage at Perth Airport. Perth Airport security staff allegedly detected a large amount of cash in the 21-year-old man’s carry-on suitcase during an x-ray screening on June 19. When the young man collected his luggage and left the area, security staff alerted the Australian Border Force. The man, who had boarded a flight bound for Melbourne, was escorted off the plane by Australian Federal Police officers. After searching the man’s suitcase, officers allegedly discovered bundles of $50 notes concealed inside various items of clothing. Two more bundles of cash were also allegedly found inside a puffer jacket inside the man’s backpack. “A formal count will be conducted to determine the exact amount of cash seized,” an AFP spokesperson said. The young man was also allegedly found travelling on a boarding pass that did not match the name on his identification. He was charged with dealing with proceeds of crime and obtaining an air passenger ticket with false identification information — offences which hold a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and 12 months’ imprisonment respectively — and faced Perth Magistrates Court on Friday. He was remanded in custody and will front court again on June 24 for a bail application. AFP Inspector Peter Brindal said the AFP would continue to investigate how the man came to be in possession of the cash. “The AFP works closely with partners to protect the community and Australia’s legitimate economy and ensure air travel is not used as part of the criminal supply chain,” he said. “Airport security staff were vigilant and quickly alerted the AFP about their suspicions, which enabled us to intervene before the flight departed. “Anyone detected travelling in possession of large amounts of unexplained cash will be investigated to determine whether the source of those funds is lawful.”