Khaled Nawaya, a Saudi Arabian-born Syrian man who was living in the United States, was arrested by Canadian border agents when they found CA$800,000 ($758,000) in gold coins and other currency on him on Oct. 6 as he crossed into Surrey, B.C. Nawaya had not been charged with a crime.

Government lawyer Kamal Gill said Nawaya was adamant he was only bringing 10,000 Canadian dollars when he was questioned at the border.

Lawyer Phil Rankin said Thursday that Nawaya lied about the coins and cash because he did not want to be taxed.

Rankin said a significant portion of his client's money came from a legal settlement from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University over immigration advice that caused him to lose his student visa. The rest was earned and saved, he said.

Nawaya had been living in the U.S. since he was 17, Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board was told during a hearing earlier this week. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics degree and one in management in the U.S. He is also a pilot and certified flight instructor.

After he lost his student status, he decided to move to Canada, Rankin said. He had been approved by Canada's immigration board for permanent residency in Canada.

Before he left the U.S., Nawaya wired money to his brother, who lives in Texas. His brother bought the Canadian gold coins on the Internet, said Rankin.

Besides the gold, Canadian border agents also found a ring bearing the insignia of Hezbollah, which has been listed as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government since 2002. They also found DVDs about Sept. 11, 2001 attacks conspiracy theories and a scarf adorned with the images of a former Israeli prime minister and a U.S. president depicted as monkeys.

Gill said the government has inquired with several Middle Eastern embassies about the significance of the ring such as whether it could represent participation in the Islamist group based in Lebanon. However, Rankin said the man's brother had them uniquely made in the U.S.

Nawaya was also checked out by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Rankin said Nawaya likely peaked the department's interest because he is a flight instructor and because he is of Middle Eastern descent.

Nawaya says he is still in shock and he thanked God for his release.