And rightly so, as their investigation culminated with the arrest of an alleged tax evader and money launderer.

The cake was found after officers from Gico, the organized crime investigation unit of the Italian police, followed and stopped a car in Brescia, Corriere reported.

The car was being driven by the Italian businessman, 47, said to work in the construction sector, while a 36-year-old Italian man who lives in Switzerland was a passenger.

After spotting the festive cake in the car boot, police carried out a check and found €250,000 stashed inside the pastry.

They then searched the businessman’s home in Brescia, where they found €1.2 million hidden beneath a trapdoor that was concealed by a washing machine in the cellar.

It was also discovered that the man, who was charged with money laundering, owed €300,000 to the tax authorities.

By Anna Pujol-Mazzini