Spy case suspect was stopped with suitcase full of cash on return from China

Berry was stopped in February 2023

A suspect in the China spy case was carrying a “suitcase full of cash” upon being stopped by police under terrorism laws after flying into Heathrow from China.

Academic Christopher Berry, was discovered with £4,000 when he was intercepted at the airport in February 2023, almost six weeks before he was formally arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

First reported in The Sunday Times, the money is believed to have been given to Berry by his Chinese intelligence handler known only as ‘Alex’, according to sources familiar with the case.

It is unclear whether the cash was retained by the police or what currency it was in.

He was the subject of a port stop under Schedule 3 Counter and Border Security Act 2019, which is used by police when there is sus