The world's highest-paid footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo's mother was stopped last month at Madrid airport with €55,000 (£40,400; $61,000) in her handbag.
Dolores Aveiro, 61, was stopped by the civil guard while waiting for a flight home to Portugal
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Dolores Aveiro, could not explain to officials why she needed so much cash.
The money has been held by officials until she pays a fine and fills in the correct documentation.
Spanish rules drawn up to prevent money laundering stipulate that the maximum amount travellers are permitted to take out of Spain without declaring the transfer is €10,000.