A MAN has been convicted of money laundering offences after he was caught with more than £860,000 packed into suitcases at Glasgow Airport.

Lukas Pokorny, from the Czech Republic, was arrested at the Paisley-based terminal as part of a joint Police Scotland and National Crime Agency (NCA) intelligence-led investigation into the export of cash from the UK to Dubai.

He admitted three charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at the High Court in Glasgow today.

Pokorny, 42, was stopped and arrested by Border Force officers as he was about to board a flight to Dubai on November 8 last year.

A search of three suitcases in his possession revealed a large quantity of cash in each, totalling over £860,000.

He was unable to provide keys to unlock the cases, say who they belonged to or what they contained.

Pokorny claimed he was flying to the United Arab Emirates to stay with a friend and the money was to allow him to teach people to jet-ski.

Detective Inspector Tom Gillan, of the Organised Crime Partnership (Scotland), told The Gazette: “Targeting the movement of criminal cash and profits from organised crime groups in Scotland remains a priority.

“The arrest and conviction of Pokorny is another excellent example of the value of partnership working between Organised Crime Partnership, Border Force and National Crime Agency officers.

“I welcome his conviction and the fact that a significant amount of laundered cash has been taken out of criminal circulation.”

Gerry McLean, NCA regional head of investigations for Scotland, added:

“This was a significant seizure of criminal cash.

"Taking it out has prevented that money being invested into further criminal activity, violence and exploitation on the streets of Scotland.

“Working with partners including Police Scotland and Border Force, we are determined to do all we can to disrupt the flow of illicit finance.”

Pokorny was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next month.