A German national was to face a prosecutor on Friday after being intercepted at Athens International Airport while trying to smuggle nearly gold and silver out of the country.

The suspect was arrested shortly before boarding a Lufthansa flight for Germany, according to authorities.

An inspection by customs officials reportedly revealed that his luggage contained 7.185 kilograms of gold and 293,435 euros in cash. The same suspect is believed to have being linked to a shipment of 425 kilograms of silver due to be sent to Germany.

Airport staff briefed the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) which sent out inspectors on Friday to check a business address in Athens.