More than £30,000 discovered in a car at the Channel Tunnel has been seized, with the majority of money found in an airbag cavity.

Border Force officers became suspicious when questioning two occupants of a VW Golf at the Folkestone terminal, who were seeking to travel to France on February 28 last year.

They seized a total of £31,940, most of which was contained in three vacuum packed packages.

The two occupants, Ylli Domi and Shkumbin Domi, chose to leave their vehicle at the controls and it was also seized.

In an investigation by officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, investigators then pursued the matter at court using legislation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

District Judge Barron ordered forfeiture of all the cash at hearing was held at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 25.

He was satisfied on the balance or probabilities that the cash had derived from crime or was intended for use in further criminal activity.

Detective Inspector Marc Cananur said: "Whilst nobody has been charged in connection with the case, the two men were unable to offer a plausible explanation as to why the cash was hidden in the car and they subsequently did not contest the forfeiture at court.

"This sends out a strong message that our officers and colleagues from the Border Force are alert for those seeking to move ill-gotten gains out of the country and there is a good chance it will be found and later forfeited."