Hungary has detained cash collection vehicles carrying valuables that were traveling from Austria to Ukraine. The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) said it is conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.
This was reported by hvg with reference to the National Tax and Customs Service of Hungary (NAV).
According to the agency, on March 5, employees of the National Tax and Customs Service (NAV), together with the Counter-Terrorism Center (TEK), delivered seven Ukrainian citizens and two armored cash collection vehicles to the authorities.
NAV stated that the detained vehicles were transporting valuables from Austria to Ukraine. These included $40 million, €35 million, and nine kilograms of gold, which, according to the Ukrainian side, belonged to the state-owned Oschadbank and were being transported legally from Vienna to Ukraine.
The Hungarian service reported that it had initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering, but did not explain where and under what circumstances such suspicion arose.
The agency also stated that after the procedure began, the Ukrainian consular service was notified, but no response had been received from it by the time the statement was published.
According to NAV, a former general of the Ukrainian special services, who was also taken to the authorities, was responsible for managing the cargo.
The tax service added that this year alone, more than $900 million, €420 million, and 146 kilograms of gold bars were transported through Hungary to Ukraine.