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German customs seize millions from student

German authorities say they seized euro8.7 million (US$12.7 million) in cash from a student this year and suspect the money came from cigarette or drug smuggling.
/ Source: The Associated Press

German authorities say they seized euro8.7 million (US $12.7 million) in cash from a student this year and suspect the money came from cigarette or drug smuggling.

Customs spokesman Wolfgang Schmitz says officers found the money in May. He confirmed a report in the Bild am Sonntag newspaper that the money — in euro50 and euro100 bills — was found in the student's luggage.

Schmitz said Sunday that investigations so far indicate the money came "from smuggling deals — either narcotics or tobacco," and there is no indication of a connection to terrorism.

The 29-year-old student is a resident of Germany. He was not identified by name.

German law requires travelers to declare sums of cash greater than euro10,000 (US $14,600) when crossing the border.