Photo: Passenger caught trying to fly to the Middle East with $770,000 cash

The hidden cash was found tucked into boxes of tablets, plasters, soap and a pair of trainers (Picture: US Customs & Border Protection).

Abdulkarim Altareb, 48, was stopped by US authorities after he was found trying to board a place to Qatar on March 1 with the money worth more than £500,000. He was caught trying to fly to the Middle East with $770,000 hidden in boxes of tablets, soap and plasters at JFK Airport.

US Customs and Border Protection officers said Altareb lied on form saying he was carrying $6,500, under the $10,000 limit, and pulled out just $5,870 when undergoing checks.

But when agents checked his luggage they found wads of cash rolled up into boxes of Alka-Seltzer, Thera-flu, Dove soap, plasters as well as inside a pair of black Adidas trainers. There was also money found hidden in packets of food seasoning sachets.

A report filed in Brooklyn federal court said: “Examination of two pieces of luggage checked by the defendant revealed more than $770,000 in additional United States currency, concealed in various places, including boxes of the following: hand soaps, Band-aids, Thera-flu, Splenda and Alka-Seltzer.