A Bangladeshi man has been caught attempting to leave the Maldives with cash worth over MVR one million.

The 34-year-old was stopped by Customs officials at Velana International Airport (VIA) on February 12, after having checked-in to fly out of the country to Dhaka via a Maldivian airline flight scheduled for 7:30am that day.

Noting that banknotes from various nations were found on him which were not declared as required, Customs said that the cash confiscated from him amounts to MVR 1,148,278.27.

As per Maldivian laws, cash values of USD 10,000 or more, or its equivalent, in either Maldivian Rufiyaa or as foreign currency, must be declared to Customs at the point of entry and exit.