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  4. CBP Atlanta Intercepts over $500k in Counterfeit U.S. Currency

CBP Atlanta Intercepts over $500k in Counterfeit U.S. Currency

Release Date
Wed, 11/01/2017

ATLANTA – It was Halloween however, alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at Hartsfield -Jackson Atlanta International Airport couldn't be tricked by a man attempting to smuggle half a million dollars in counterfeit U.S. currency. CBP officer’s Tuesday, intercepted the 62-year old U.S. Citizen arriving from Peru who had attempted to hide $509,700 in counterfeit U.S. $100 bills in his baggage.

CBP officer at POE Atlnat investigate counterfeit US Currency
CBP's officers at Atlanta process
over $500K in counterfeit U.S.
currency 

“This seizure demonstrates how U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s border search authority protects American businesses and consumers against counterfeit currency and other illicit products that pose potential harm to our nation and to our economy.” said Carey Davis, CBP’s Port Director for the Area Port of Atlanta. “This is our Border Security work at its finest, and we are proud of the officers involved.”

Agents from the U.S. Secret Service arrived and confirmed that the $100 bills were counterfeit. Secret Service agents took custody of the fake currency and individual. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia is prosecuting.

CBP officers Atl intercepts over $500k in counterfeit currency
CBP officers in Atlanta intercepted
over $500K in counterfeit U.S.
currency

“In FY 2017, the Secret Service responded to 920 counterfeit arrests by other law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist with and further their investigations,” said Kenneth Cronin, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Atlanta Field Office. “Yesterday’s actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers illustrate the significance of our partnerships with state and federal law enforcement agencies.”

CBP officers routinely examine passenger manifests of arriving and departing international flights and sometimes encounter persons requiring additional inspection scrutiny. On a typical day during 2016, CBP officers arrested 22 wanted criminals at our nation’s 328 international ports of entry. Learn more about what CBP's accomplishes in "A Typical Day."

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021