The Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court has turned down the plea of a British tourist detained here last week by the Customs for carrying a huge amount of undeclared foreign exchange. The customs arrested Michael John Holyoake at Dabolim airport on October 21 for smuggling in £68,000 in cash.

Holyoake, who was released on bail, claimed the  funds were for buying a property in Goa. The petitioner’s lawyer claimed the tourist was unaware that he had to declare foreign exchange exceeding £5000.

But the High Court dismissed the Briton’s plea that the Customs be directed to release the confiscated amount. Counsel for Customs said the case was under investigation and given the large number of unsigned cheques, a wider probe was needed.