Accra: A video has resurfaced showing how a Ghanaian businessman was stopped by Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom after a discrepancy was found between the amount of cash he declared and the money in his possession. The incident, which is believed to have occurred in 2023, was featured in an episode of the UK border security programme Heathrow: Britain's Busiest Airport.
According to Ghana Web, upon arriving from Ghana, the businessman declared that he was carrying £114,000 into the UK and said he intended to stay for 30 days. When questioned, he told officers the money came from his business and was meant to buy second-hand car parts in England. He explained, 'Yeah, through the business that I'm doing.' However, Border Force officers asked him to provide evidence that the money came from his business.
The businessman presented documents, but officers realised they were outdated. He admitted, 'Yeah, I have the current document, but I forgot to bring it. It just escaped me. I always bring it,' when asked why the paperwork dated back several years. He also mentioned having previously declared similar amounts of cash when entering the UK, saying, 'Yeah, yeah, in your system. It's more than that. You can check your system.'
The situation took a dramatic turn when officers counted the money and questioned whether it amounted to the £114,000 declared on his form. The traveler denied carrying that amount, insisting there had been a mistake on the declaration. 'No, no, it's £14,800, it's not £114,000. I'm a rich man, if I have that money!' he said. Despite the confusion over the declared amount, officers pointed out that the declaration form stated £114,380, but the businessman maintained there might have been a mistake.
Border Force officers explained that anyone entering the UK from outside the European Union with cash equivalent to more than £10,000 must declare it and provide evidence of its source. They emphasized that he had failed to provide satisfactory proof that the money came from his business. 'Regardless, if you have pound 10,000 or equivalent, you need to declare it, which you have done, but you still need to provide evidence of where the money has come from. At the moment, you're not able to provide any evidence. The paperwork you've provided is eight years out of date,' the officer indicated.
Under UK law, Border Force officers can seize cash if they are not satisfied with the explanation or supporting evidence provided for its source.