Miami - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Miami Field Office has seized $2,460,624 in undeclared outbound currency so far this fiscal year. This past October 2009 a team was selected and trained to participate in a multinational operation with the World Customs Organization encompassing over 80 countries. The joint operation was created to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that use cash couriers to move their illicit gains around the world by using real-time information sharing and the coordination of cash declaration data between participating countries.
Since October 2009, CBP officers and the outbound team have made numerous currency seizures which include $186,100 and $149,364 as their top two interceptions.
CBP officers in Miami have continued working with their federal, state, and local partners in order to prevent the undeclared movement of cash through Miami International airport. Bulk cash smuggling is the act of concealing currency and/or reportable monetary instruments with the intent of evading currency reporting requirements, in an attempt to transfer or transport the currency or monetary instrument across an international border.
"Today's milestone is an excellent example of how CBP's mission of protecting the United States is one that encompasses numerous functions and responsibilities and clearly demonstrates how we are working with our partners in law enforcement on one of those functions and of the outstanding work performed by our officers" said Sidney Aki, Acting Director of Field Operations in Miami for U. S. Customs and Border Protection.
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.