Three million Euros in cash have been arrested at the Lisbon Airport by the Judiciary Police (PJ). The money was intercepted inside suitcases by PJ’s National Unit for Combating Corruption (UNCC).

The passengers responsible for the luggage, three women and four men, were stopped by the police forces when attempting to leave the European Continent.

According to PJ, the suspect’s actions were consistent with those of ‘money mules’ who move currency cross-continentally, a practice used for money laundering purposes. The purpose of this illegal practice, known as ‘circulation’, is to move the money as further away as possible from its source.

Although not confirmed, PJ has reason to suspect that the three million Euros originate from crimes relating to fiscal fraud.