Motorist caught bringing millions in cash into UAE

Inspectors found 3.75 million Saudi Arabian riyals stashed in a rear seat of a lorry. Courtesy Abu Dhabi General Administration of Customs

ABU DHABI // A driver was caught when he tried to smuggle more than three million Saudi riyals into the UAE.

The man, described by officials as Asian, was caught by Abu Dhabi border officers.

Inspectors searched his lorry, which was entering the UAE through the Ghuwaifat border crossing, and found SR3.75 million (Dh3.5m) stashed in the rear seat behind the driver.

Visitors must declare large amounts of cash when they enter or leave the country as part of efforts to counter money laundering.

The driver did not disclose the amount, so a criminal case was brought against him, and he was referred to the authorities for legal action.