Foreigner caught with huge sums of money at Ercan airport

A Chinese man who tried to leave the TRNC with huge sums of money was arrested and detained by the police.

The individual named only as TZ, a Chinese national was arrested at Ercan airport in North Cyprus at around 7:00pm on Monday May 20 after he was found with 10,000 Euros, 18,700 US Dollars and 39,000 Turkish Liras. The money was seized from the suspect.

He was taken to court on Tuesday charge of "acting against the Currency and Foreign Exchange Law".

Police told the court that the suspect was detected with huge sums of money at Ercan Airport, when he passed through the X-ray device, which is the last police checkpoint before leaving the country.

Police said he was found to have more than the required cash of more than 10,000 Euros or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish Lira. 

Police said he was found to have acted contrary to the Currency and Foreign Exchange Law.

Police stated that the suspect stated in his statement that he won the money in a casino. 

Noting that the investigation was continuing and that there were camera recordings to be examined and statements to be taken, the police requested that the suspect be detained in police custody for three days.