ROMULUS, Mich. – During the first half of fiscal year 2019, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers within the Detroit Field Office achieved a 62% increase in the seizure of unreported currency from international passengers as compared to the same period last year. A vast majority of the seizures occurred at Detroit Metro Airport.
Thus far in fiscal year 2019 starting October 1 and ending March 31, CBP has seized $3,852,262 in unreported currency from international travelers, this compares to $2,384,360 seized during the same time frame for fiscal year 2018.
up 62% in FY 2019
CBP in conjunction with its Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partners, continues its efforts to prevent the unreported movement of currency through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and other ports of entry within the Detroit Field Office.
"This increase clearly demonstrates our continued commitment, and that of our partners, to protect the United States from proceeds of criminal activity," said Devin Chamberlain, CBP Port Director at the Detroit Metropolitan 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(s) across an international border.
While it is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, federal currency reporting requirements state that travelers must report currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry to or exit from the United States. Failure to declare may result in the seizure of the currency, and possible arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.