A man has been convicted of money laundering after being caught attempting to smuggle £1 million in cash out of the UK in two suitcases at Heathrow Airport.

Mazen Al Shaar, 48, of Marsworth Close, Middlesex, was stopped by Border Force officers at Terminal Three on Saturday, March 15, as he prepared to board a flight to Beirut. Upon questioning, Al Shaar claimed he was carrying only £500 and travelling to visit family.

However, a search of his three suitcases revealed two stuffed with bundles of banknotes — a discovery that triggered a full investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Court Appearance and Guilty Plea

Al Shaar, who works as a supermarket employee, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court and admitted one count of money laundering. He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

NCA and Home Office Respond

Peter Jones, Operations Manager at the NCA, said:

"Cash like this is the lifeblood of organised crime groups.
The detection and conviction of Al Shaar have punched a hole in the crime group’s finances, and very importantly, taken a trusted money launderer out of use."

A Home Office spokesperson praised the efforts of Border Force officers:

"This seizure highlights our dedicated efforts to protect UK borders and keep the public safe.
Our officers are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and detect attempts to smuggle illicit cash and other prohibited items.
We will continue working closely with law enforcement partners like the NCA to disrupt criminal networks."

Continuing Crackdown on Financial Crime

The conviction forms part of the UK’s broader crackdown on serious and organised crime, with authorities increasingly targeting the financial infrastructure that fuels illegal operations.

Officials have reiterated that large, undeclared cash movements are a major red flag for money laundering and often linked to criminal enterprise funding, including drug trafficking, fraud, and modern slavery.

Al Shaar’s sentencing date is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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