STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a total of $73,900 from two Serbia-bound travelers for violating federal currency reporting requirements on Monday at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Neither man was criminally charged. CBP officers released the travelers to continue their journey.
CBP officers initially stopped the first man in the jetway to the airplane and asked how much currency he possessed. The man reported $1,500 verbally and in writing. CBP officers inspected his carry-on baggage and jacket and discovered four envelopes that contained approximately $50,000.
officers seize $73k in unreported
currency from two Serbia-bound men
at Washington Dulles International
Airport on October 3, 2016.
Meanwhile, CBP’s currency detector dog “Nicky” alerted to another passenger, who then claimed to be the first subject’s son-in-law. The second man reported that he possessed $7,000, but a subsequent inspection discovered two envelopes in his jacket that contained approximately $20,000.
CBP officers verified that the currency totaled $73,900 in U.S. dollars between the two family members.
There is no limit to how much currency travelers can import or export; however, federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency.
“This is a significant amount of currency to conceal, and these two men are very fortunate to avoid criminal prosecution,” said Wayne Biondi, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Washington Dulles. “Customs and Border Protection hopes this seizure is a reminder to all travelers to be truthful with CBP officers. The best way to hold onto one’s currency is to truthfully report all of it to a CBP officer.”
CBP returned $1,500 to the men and released them to continue their journey.
CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, currency, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items at our nation’s 328 international ports of entry. On a typical day, CBP officers seize and average of $356,396 in undeclared or illicit currency. View CBP Snapshot to learn what else CBP achieved ‘On a Typical Day’ last year.
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.
Learn how CBP's Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders at international Ports of Entry.
The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the travelers’ names since they were not criminally charged.