STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers continue to enforce a variety of U.S. laws at Washington Dulles International Airport, including intercepting a Ghanaian impostor, and seizing $11,822 of unreported currency from a Vietnam-bound couple.
CBP is not releasing the travelers’ names because none was criminally charged.
The Ghanaian man arrived from Casablanca, Morocco Thursday. CBP officers referred him to a secondary examination after officers discovered that the Ghana passport and U.S. travel visa that the man possessed were reported lost or stolen. The man was also unable to answer simple personal questions that the true bearer would know. A biometric examination confirmed the man as an impostor and one who was previously denied a U.S. travel visa. The traveler was ordered removed and faces a five-year ban from returning to the U.S.
During outbound inspection operations Tuesday, CBP officers seized $11,882 in unreported currency from a couple boarding a flight to Vietnam. The couple verbally reported that they possessed $4,000. After officers read the currency reporting requirements, the couple stated they possessed $7,000, then they wrote down that they possessed $9,000. An examination revealed currency in the woman’s purse, and additional currency concealed in one of two pairs of pants the man wore.
“Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers that violating U.S. laws may result in severe consequences, including in these cases, a long-term refusal from returning to the U.S., or the loss of one’s currency,” said Daniel Mattina, CBP Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington Dulles. “Enforcing applicable U.S. law at our nation’s border is one way in which CBP contributes to our national security, and it’s a responsibility that CBP takes seriously.”
Travelers may carry as much currency as they wish into and out of the United States. Federal law requires that travelers must report all U.S. and foreign monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or greater on a U.S. Treasury Department financial form. None of the currency is taxed.
CBP officers provided a humanitarian monetary release of $322 to the couple, and released them to continue their travel.
“CBP officers not only ensure that inbound travelers and cargo comply with U.S. laws and regulations, but they also conduct outbound examinations to safeguard the revenue of the U.S. These inspections protect against unreported exportations of bulk U.S. currency, which often can be proceeds from alleged illicit activity,” said Casey Owen Durst, Director, CBP’s Field Operations Director in Baltimore “These significant currency seizures are a direct reflection of our continuing commitment to enforcing federal currency reporting requirements.”
Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel section to learn more about the CBP admissions process and rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations
Almost a million times each day, CBP officers welcome international travelers into the U.S. In screening both foreign visitors and returning U.S. citizens, CBP uses a variety of techniques to intercept narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products, and to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong.
On a typical day, CBP seizes $289,609 in undeclared or illicit currency along our nation’s borders. Learn more about what CBP did during "A Typical Day" in 2016.
CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.
Learn more about CBP at CBP.gov.