US$53,000 in undeclared cash seized from Jamaica-bound passenger in Fort Lauderdale
The traveller, who had declared carrying no currency, was arrested and federal prosecutors approved money laundering charges.
FORT LAUDERDALE, United States. A passenger preparing to board a flight to Kingston, Jamaica, was arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida in early July after US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than US$53,000 in undeclared cash.
According to CBP, officers were conducting routine outbound inspections of passengers on the Kingston flight. The traveller declared that they were not carrying any currency, but a search uncovered US$53,000 in US cash.
Money laundering charges
Homeland Security Investigations responded to the scene and took the individual into custody. Federal prosecutors later approved money laundering charges under Title 18, US Code Section 1956.
Officials have not released the passenger's identity, and have not said whether the funds are believed to be linked to a broader criminal investigation.
Reporting rules
CBP stressed that there is no limit on the amount of money travellers may legally carry into or out of the United States.
However, anyone carrying more than US$10,000 in currency or monetary instruments must report it by filing FinCEN Form 105, the Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments.
Making a false declaration or failing to declare funds can lead to seizure of the money and civil or criminal penalties.
'Bulk cash smuggling'
Daniel Alonso, director of field operations for CBP's Miami and Tampa field offices, said bulk cash smuggling was a common method used by criminal organisations to move illicit proceeds across borders.
"CBP officers remain vigilant in identifying these violations and work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt transnational criminal activities," he said.
The seizure forms part of CBP's wider outbound enforcement strategy, which targets bulk cash smuggling, narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling and other transnational crime while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
