Representation of a trolley full of euro discovered by police. Photo: Shutterstock Romanian authorities are investigating the disappearance of almost €700,000 that had been seized by customs officials at Henri Coandă International Airport near Bucharest and kept in a storage room at the airport's Border Customs Office.
The Romanian Customs Authority announced on October 26 that it had notified the police and launched an internal control after discovering that the money was missing. The funds had been seized on January 9, 2026, from a passenger arriving from Dubai during a customs inspection.
According to the authority, the money was placed in a designated storage area while its legal status was being clarified. Officials were required to follow several procedures at the time of the seizure, including preparing a monetary record and documenting the serial numbers of the banknotes.
The disappearance came to light while officials were taking steps to return the funds after a closure order had been issued in the case.
When the bag used to store the money was checked, it contained only a single banknote and sheets of paper, according to the Customs Authority.
The storage room itself does not have a video surveillance system, although the corridor leading to it is monitored. Authorities have not disclosed when the money was removed or who may have been responsible.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. The Customs Authority's internal review is examining whether procedures for retaining, recording and storing seized assets were followed, as well as the responsibilities of individuals who had access to the storage area.
The authority has not announced any arrests or identified suspects in connection with the case.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials have yet to explain how the funds disappeared from the customs facility.