Lukas Pokorny, from the Czech Republic, checked in three suitcases for a flight to Dubai on 8 November 2020.

When he landed at Edinburgh Airport from Prague the day before, he was only carrying a small holdall. The 42-year-old had made his way to Glasgow and received the three suitcases from a man at the Mariott Hotel.

He was stopped as part of an intelligence-led investigation into the export of cash from the UK to Dubai and the suitcases were found to be full of cash.

In total, £867,030 was found in the suitcases.

Mr Pokorny pled guilty under Proceeds of Crime Act at the High Court in Glasgow on 1 February.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and a confiscation order was granted for £867,520, €360 euros and 700 koruna. These figures include the money in the suitcase and on his person.

Procurator fiscal for specialist casework, Jennifer Harrower, said: “I hope this will send a message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour. We will not stop at prosecution, but use all the powers at our disposal to target those who seek to profit from crime.

“The Crown will continue working with partners in the Organised Crime Partnership and other agencies to ensure these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted.

“This recovered money will be added to funds already gathered from Proceeds of Crime and will be re-invested in Scottish communities through the CashBack for Communities programme.”