A Calgary man’s suitcase had more than just the essentials when he checked in for a flight out of Winnipeg in October.
Mounties seized $371,675 packed inside a checked bag in vacuum-sealed packages late last month, according to Manitoba Court of King’s Bench documents seen by Postmedia.
Calgarian Kevin Paul Panghulan is accused of checking in the bag full of cash before boarding an Air Canada flight from Winnipeg to Toronto on Oct. 26.
While the suitcase underwent security screening at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, Canadian Air Transport Security Authorities became suspicious of its contents.
CATSA staff opened the suitcase in their secure luggage room and observed the money, which was separated into six vacuum-sealed bundles secured by elastic bands, and RCMP was contacted.
“Airport staff paged (Panghulan) and requested that he attend to the boarding area for the flight,” read a document filed with the court.
Panghulan did not respond to the page, and was located by police while exiting the airport lounge, where he was arrested on suspicion he possessed the proceeds of crime over $5,000.
No explanation was provided for the money when he was questioned by police, according to the document.
The money was analyzed for “hits” using a currency tracing system, and 10 bills came back with serial numbers relating to previous drug trafficking investigations, the document said.
Manitoba’s director of criminal property forfeiture commenced proceedings for an order forfeiting the cash “as either proceeds of unlawful activity, an instrument of unlawful activity, or both.”
An affidavit alleges that unlawful activities occurred, such as trafficking of controlled substances, possession of the proceeds of crime, trafficking proceeds obtained by crime and possession of proceeds of crime for the purpose of trafficking.
Forfeiture proceedings in Winnipeg relating to the seized cash are scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025.
Panghulan was released on charges of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of proceeds of crime. His court date is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025, also in Winnipeg.