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CBP Seizes $40,091 in Unreported Currency from Outbound Air Passenger

Release Date
Fri, 01/08/2016

HOUSTON– U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday seized more than $40,000 in unreported currency in an outbound enforcement action involving a departing air passenger bound for Turkey.

Stacks of bills totaling $40,091 in unreported currency were recently seized by CBP officers at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in an outbound seizure

Stacks of bills totaling $40,091 in unreported currency were recently seized by CBP officers at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in an outbound seizure

“This significant outbound currency seizure highlights the vigilance of our officers and underscores the need for air travelers to adhere to federal currency reporting requirements,” said CBP Port Director Charles G. Perez, Houston Service Port. “There is no limit on the amount of currency an air passenger may carry, however travelers should be advised that those who fail to report currency in excess of $10,000 to a CBP officer when entering or departing the U.S. face the risk of possible seizure of that currency.”

The interception occurred on Thursday, Jan. 7 when CBP officers conducting outbound enforcement operations observed departing air passengers on a flight bound for Istanbul, Turkey and selected a 73-year-old male U.S. citizen passenger for a secondary inspection after a CBP canine alerted to his luggage. During the examination, the passenger declared $4,000 but subsequent examination by CBP officers revealed a total of $40,091 in unreported currency within his luggage.  CBP officers seized the unreported currency.

Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S., however, if the quantity is more than $10,000, they will need to report it to CBP. “Money” means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021

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