Philadelphia CBP Officers Seize Nearly $53k in Underreported Currency

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Philadelphia – Customs and BorderProtection (CBP) officers seized nearly $53,000 from a Las Vegas-bound Israeliman Sunday after the man violated federal currency reporting regulations.
The man, who was not arrested, declaredpossessing only $5,000, but allegedly showed the CBP officer a wallet withvisibly more currency than $5,000. During the secondary inspection, CBPofficers discovered four additional bundles of U.S. currency in the man’sluggage. Total amount of currency was $53,181 in U.S. dollars. CBP seized$52,681 and returned $500 to the man for humanitarian purposes.
There is no limit to how much currencytravelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers todeclare amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreigncurrency.
“When it comes to carrying currency, weonly ask that passengers simply be honest with us and make truthfullydeclarations,” said Allan Martocci, CBP Port Director for the Area Port ofPhiladelphia. “There are serious consequences for failing to comply withfederal currency reporting requirements, as this passenger has learned.”
Before inspecting the man’s luggage, CBPofficers explained the federal currency reporting requirement and had thepassenger read the Hebrew-language CBP declaration form. The passengeracknowledged understanding the regulation and wrote on the declaration formthat he possessed $13,000.
CBP officers provided the man withinformation on how to petition for the return of the seized currency, andreleased him to continue his trip.
The passenger arrived from Tel Aviv,Israel around 6 a.m. Sunday.
CBP officers routinely conduct randominspection operations on arriving and departing international flights andintercepts currency, narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products orother illicit items.
Travelers are encouraged visit CBP’sTravel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security chargedwith the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at andbetween the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists andterrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.