Libya scuppers bid to smuggle 100kg of gold, 1.5m euros

Libya's Internal Security Agency said on Saturday it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle 100kg of gold and 1.5 million euros at Misrata international airport during a security check of an international flight.

The agency said on its verified Facebook page that the gold bars were found in three suitcases while the money was in one suitcase.

The suitcases were spotted during the security inspection process of a flight to Turkey, said the agency.

 Bundles of euro banknotes that were seized by the authorities in Libya. Reuters

Misrata is a port city about 200km (125 miles) east of the capital Tripoli.

The agency added that "those responsible for these suitcases were arrested."

In May, the Tripoli-based attorney general said it ordered the arrest of director general of customs and other officials at Misrata international airport over conspiring to smuggle nearly 26,000 kg of gold.

Libya has had little peace since a 2011 uprising and it split in 2014 between eastern and western factions.

Reuters