More than US$41k in undeclared cash seized from travelers to Jamaica

 More than US$41k in undeclared cash seized from travelers to Jamaica

Friday, June 25, 2021

BALTIMORE, United States - US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are reminding travellers to declare all currencies that they possess after seizing nearly US$41,933 from travellers heading to Jamaica recently.
The seizures occurred over a one month period at the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in the United States.
According to a statement released by CBP on Thursday, while there is no limit to the amount of money persons can travel with, "federal law requires that travellers report currency or monetary instruments in excess of US$10,000 to a CBP officer at the airport, seaport, or land border crossing when entering or leaving the United States". 
In the latest incident on Tuesday, CBP stated that its officers seized US$15,433 from a Jamaican citizen who attempted to board a flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
The man reported, both verbally and in writing, that he possessed US$7,000. However, officers discovered US$11,566 in his carry-on bag and an additional US$3,867 in his checked baggage.
On May 31, CBP officers also reported that they seized US$13,000 in unreported currency from a mother and daughter as they were boarding a flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Two days earlier, CBP revealed another seizure of US$13,500 in unreported currency from a Jamaican man boarding a Montego Bay-bound flight.
“As international travel resumes, Customs and Border Protection wants to remind travelers of the importance to truthfully report all currency they possess when asked by CBP officers during arrival and departure inspections,” said Keith Fleming, acting director of field operations for CBP's Baltimore Field Office. 
"Unreported and concealed currency is often proceeds from illicit activities, such as financial fraud and narcotics smuggling, and CBP officers remain committed to targeting transnational criminal organizations' proceeds," he added.
Meanwhile, CBP disclosed that the consequences for violating US currency reporting laws are severe.
"... penalties may include seizure of most or all of the traveler's currency, and potential criminal charges. An individual may petition for the return of seized currency, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate," advised CBP.

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