A significant seizure occurred in August 2024 at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, a major international hub in France. Two Algerian travelers were apprehended while transporting nearly 3 million euros in cash.
This arrest, initially appearing to be a simple attempt at illegal money transfer, actually uncovered a sophisticated money laundering network spanning several countries, including France and Turkey. The subsequent investigation has yielded surprising revelations, highlighting a complex mechanism for undeclared money transfers.
Impressive Seizure at Roissy
On August 18, 2024, customs authorities at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport intercepted two Algerian passengers in possession of several million euros. One traveler had concealed 1.7 million euros and 119,000 Swiss francs, while the other was carrying 1.2 million euros and an 82-gram gold ingot. This large cash seizure at one of Europe’s largest airports immediately drew the attention of French authorities and triggered an investigation into a potential money laundering ring.
At first glance, this seizure might have seemed routine, but initial investigations revealed a much more intricate situation. By analyzing surveillance footage, investigators discovered that the two passengers were not from France.
Indeed, the money they were carrying had not been transferred from Algeria, as one might expect, but was discreetly collected within the airport itself, in the restrooms. There, they met an individual identified as Houssen B., who confessed to organizing around thirty similar cash deliveries between February and August 2024. The investigation has so far traced over 60 million euros laundered through this network.
Suitcase Carriers: Weak Links in a Complex System
The two passengers, although surprised by the scale of the arrest, revealed that they had been hired to transport money between France and Turkey. Paid between 700 and 1,000 euros per trip, their role was to connect the countries and purchase goods in Turkey while also carrying illegal funds. However, authorities quickly realized that they were merely “suitcase carriers,” far from being the masterminds behind the network. Investigations revealed that this type of transfer was organized from France, not Algeria.
The money seized at Roissy is evidence of a parallel circuit used to transfer funds originating from the black market. This system, extending between France, Turkey, and Algeria, appears to have been established to bypass strict customs controls and evade the traceability of legal banking transactions. The existence of such networks demonstrates the persistence of money laundering on an international scale and underscores the importance of cooperation between authorities in different countries to combat this scourge.
Complex Legal Consequences
Since the arrests at Roissy, the investigation continues, with the apprehension of Houssen B. in March 2025. While the two travelers have been charged with money laundering, authorities continue to seek links to other individuals involved in this international network. One of the two passengers has been released on bail, while the other’s request for release was rejected by the Paris investigating chamber.
The seizure of 3 million euros at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport is just one example of the increasing scale of money laundering through international airports. Roissy, as a major transit point, has become a strategic hub for these transnational networks, but the effectiveness of customs controls and international cooperation have helped to destabilize this system. This case highlights the need for increased vigilance to detect and dismantle criminal networks operating within the shadow economy.
