PERTH, Western Australia - A 21‐year‐old Sydney, New South Wales man is set to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday after police seized more than $1.1 million in cash from a suitcase at Perth Airport.

Authorities say the man, from North Rocks in Sydney, was charged in Sydney on February 20 before being extradited to Perth pn Friday. He faces a charge for engaging in conduct with money proceeds from general crime exceeding $1 million—a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.

The investigation began on February 17 when the man attempted to use a credit card to pay an excess baggage fee at Perth Airport. Airline staff noticed that the credit card details did not match those on his boarding pass, resulting in his flight booking being cancelled. The man then left the terminal without his suitcase and later boarded a flight to Sydney on a different airline.

Police were alerted to the abandoned suitcase and brought in a specially trained detection dog.

The canine's reaction prompted authorities to open the suitcase, where they discovered $1,102,440 in cash neatly wrapped in plastic bundles.

On February 19, AFP officers executed a search warrant at the suspect's Sydney residence, seizing electronic devices and clothing items for forensic examination.

AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Chwal said the investigation had disrupted significant money laundering activities. "The AFP is working tirelessly with partners to protect the community and Australia's legitimate economy and ensure air travel is not used as part of the criminal supply chain," he said. "Anyone with large amounts of undeclared cash can be put before the courts to explain the source of that wealth."

The investigation is ongoing as police seek to determine how the suspect came into possession of the cash.