Romanian customs refers missing 700,000 euros case at Otopeni airport to police

The seizure and the discovery

Romanian customs officers seized nearly 700,000 euros on 9 January 2026 at Henri Coandă International Airport from a passenger arriving from Dubai, during a customs inspection. The money was then stored at the Otopeni Passenger Border Customs Office while its legal status was being clarified. The Romanian Customs Authority (AVR) says the disappearance came to light when staff began the checks needed to return the money, after a dismissal order had been issued in the case. When the bag holding the cash was examined, it contained only one banknote and sheets of paper.

Procedures and surveillance

AVR says the officers who seized the money were required to follow several procedures. These included drawing up a monetary record and noting the serial numbers of the banknotes. The storage room has no video surveillance, although the access corridor is monitored, according to the authority's statement.

“When the goods were seized, those responsible were obliged to follow several procedures, including drawing up a monetary record and noting the banknote serial numbers.”

The statement does not name any person in connection with the missing money.

Police inquiry and internal control

Police have started investigations to establish the circumstances in which the sum disappeared. AVR has also opened its own internal control, which covers whether staff followed the rules for seizing, recording and storing the money. The review also covers the responsibilities of the people who had access to the storage room. As of the statement, AVR had not announced the results of its checks or said whether any suspects had been identified.