This tidbit is an admission that the European dragnets for people carrying cash isn't just something you hear on WND but instead are "routine" warrantless searches of travelers. The purpose is to find and seize funds that people have hidden from the state or that people simply don't want the state to know about as they travel.
This is widespread in the USA now especially as magnetometers in the airports are being used to scan the new bills with the 'holographic' magnetically senistive ink on them. If you travel with a large amount of cash you can expect the TSA to seize it from you regardless if it is your money or not.
This is a truly bizarre story. Why would someone that old sit on all of that art? He will be dead soon so it makes no sense. Why would someone try to smuggle cash on a train? Someone had to be tipped off!