Money seized at Belfast airport

The cash is being held while investigations continue

More than 50,000 euros has been seized from a County Armagh man as he attempted to board a flight at Belfast International Airport.

UK Border Agency officers at the airport arrested the man on Monday on suspicion of being involved in money laundering.

The man had intended to fly to Barcelona.

He has since been released on bail to report to Antrim police station in December.

The money is being held by the agency for further investigation.

Maggie Eyden, Assistant Director for UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland, said cash can be seized if there are reasonable grounds to suspect it is the proceeds of, or is intended for use in, illegal activities.

She added: "The Proceeds of Crime Act was specifically designed to take the profit out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered and depriving criminals of their illicit wealth.

"It is a vital element of our criminal investigation strategy."