LatviaPublished: 1 October 2026 at 13:21

Police Detain Ukrainian National With Over €17,000 in Cash

Latvia's State Police have detained a Ukrainian citizen found carrying more than €17,000 in cash believed to originate from criminal activity and intended for removal from Latvia.

Latvia's State Police have detained a Ukrainian citizen suspected of acting as a so-called "money mule" — a person used to move illegally obtained funds. The detention was confirmed by State Police spokesperson Zane Vaskāne.

The man was found carrying 17,059 euros in cash. According to police, the money is most likely the proceeds of criminal activity.

Cash intended to leave the country

The police spokesperson said the seized cash was intended to be transported out of Latvia. This points to a possible scheme in which criminally obtained funds are moved across the border using "money mules" — individuals who, often for payment or other benefit, physically carry or transfer such funds to make them harder to trace.

The State Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the case.

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