48-year-old Mazen Al Shaar from Hayes was due to fly to Beirut when he was stopped by Border Force officers on Saturday.
He was charged with money laundering at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court for a pre-trial plea hearing on April the 17th.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This seizure highlights Border Force’s dedicated efforts to protect our borders and keep the public safe. Our officers are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and identify attempts to move illicit cash and other prohibited items across our borders.
“We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including the NCA to disrupt criminal networks.”
