Two women were detained at Heathrow Airport with more than £1,000,000 in their suitcases

Two women were apprehended at Heathrow Airport after customs officials discovered over £1,000,000 in undeclared cash stashed in their suitcases. The arrest took place at Terminal 3, following a targeted search prompted by behavioural screening and routine cross-border intelligence sharing.

According to Border Force agents, the women arrived on a flight from Toronto and proceeded through the green channel, indicating they had nothing to declare. However, their luggage drew suspicion during initial screening, triggering a secondary inspection that revealed large quantities of banknotes.

The total sum included approximately £982,000 in British pounds and an additional CAD 186,000. Officials noted that the cash was not evenly distributed but instead packed in vacuum-sealed bags hidden among clothes and personal items. The concealment technique raised red flags consistent with known smuggling practices.

Neither of the women presented a red customs declaration upon arrival, as is required by law for those carrying more than €10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. The Home Office confirmed that this constituted a violation of UK customs regulations under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency stated that investigations were ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the funds. “At this stage, we are treating the seizure as part of a broader probe into international money laundering,” the statement read.

Eyewitnesses at the terminal reported seeing the women being led away calmly by uniformed officers. “They didn’t look like they were resisting at all, just surprised,” said one passenger who had arrived on the same flight. “There was no drama, but you could tell something was going on.”

Sources familiar with the case said that both suspects were in their early 30s and held Canadian passports. Authorities are currently reviewing their travel histories, electronic devices, and financial records to assess whether this was an isolated incident or part of a coordinated network.

The women were reportedly questioned for several hours and have since been released on bail pending further inquiries. No formal charges have been filed at this stage, but legal experts suggest the case could result in serious penalties, including imprisonment and asset forfeiture.

Under UK law, customs officers have wide discretion to seize suspected criminal assets, even without a conviction. In 2024 alone, over £36 million in undeclared cash was confiscated at British airports, according to figures released by HM Revenue & Customs.

Travelers are reminded that they must declare large sums of money when entering or leaving the UK, regardless of the currency. The regulations are part of broader efforts to crack down on financial crimes and prevent the movement of illicit funds across borders.

The incident has sparked renewed debate over airport screening protocols and the effectiveness of financial crime prevention. Some experts have called for increased staff training and better coordination between border agencies to identify high-risk passengers earlier in the screening process.

As investigations continue, the authorities have reiterated their commitment to transparency and due process. “Every traveller is subject to the same laws and scrutiny,” said a Border Force spokesperson. “We take these matters seriously and will pursue them to the full extent permitted by law.”