Tag: currency report

Outbound Customs Currency Seizures to Mexico

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on August 25, 2014

This customs currency seizure story, quoted below from U.S. Customs & Border Protection (full story HERE), illustrates the currency reporting requirement for arriving traveler’s and for those exiting the country. Failure to follow the law will result in a customs currency seizure. Customs Currency Seizure Lawyer; Keep Calm and Declare Monetary Instruments Exceeding $10,000 USD

IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the local ports of entry over the weekend foiled three attempts to smuggle . . . $382,749 in unreported U.S. currency that was bound for Mexico. [ . . . ]

The [ ] incident occurred at about 7 a.m. on Aug. 16, when CBP officers were conducting southbound inspections of travelers heading to Mexico through the Calexico downtown border crossing. Officers targeted a 2001 Honda Accord and referred the driver, a 39-year-old Peruvian citizen, and his vehicle for a more in-depth examination.

While searching the vehicle, officers utilized the port’s imaging system and detected anomalies within the Accord’s rear quarter panels. Following an intensive search, officers extracted a total of 15 packages containing $382,749 in U.S. currency from inside the panels.

If you have a customs currency seizure case and are contemplating what to do next, please use the information available on this website or call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with cash seized by customs around the country, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and many other places.

Please read these customs currency seizure articles:

CBP Seizes $28K+ in Unreported Currency

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on July 29, 2014

Customs seizes more currency from a traveler, this time at the Philadelphia airport. As reported by customs, more than $28,000 was seized from a Nigerian man travelling from London. Our customs law firm handles currency/money seizures made by customs in Detroit and around the country; call (734) 855-4999 to consult with a customs lawyer today.

BALTIMORE — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $25,000 Wednesday from a Nigerian man at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) for violating federal currency reporting regulations.

The passenger, who arrived to BWI from London, United Kingdom, reported to a CBP officer that he possessed $6,000. During a secondary inspection, the traveler reported to a second CBP officer that he possessed $8,000 and 800 British Pounds.

During a baggage examination, CBP officers discovered $25,316 in U.S. Dollars, 1,385 in British Pounds and 450 in Euros, and a few Nigerian Naira. The combined currency totaled $28,280 in equivalent U.S. currency.

CBP officers seized the U.S. currency and Naira, and returned the Pounds and Euros to the man for humanitarian relief. CBP officers also advised the traveler how to petition for the return of his seized currency.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers may bring to, or take from the U.S.; however, federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency. Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges.

“Customs and Border Protection reminds all travelers that the easiest way to hold on to one’s currency is to truthfully report all of it to a CBP officer,” said Dianna Bowman, CBP Port Director for the Port of Baltimore.

If you have had money seized by Detroit CBP/customs, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with cash seized by customs nationwide, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

Customs Seizes $410k from Traveler leaving United States

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on July 22, 2014

Below is a news release concerning a customs currency seizure of more than $410,000 (and a vehicle) for failure to report and bulk cash smuggling (concealing money in a door panel is predictably ripe for allegations by customs of bulk cash smuggling).

Based on the fact that the man was arrested and the the prevalence of drug money seeping across the U.S.-Mexico border, it seems highly likely that something illegal was happening here. However, innocent people who simply failure to report the amount of currency they are transporting get their currency seized and confiscated by customs everyday at airports and land borders. These people can get their money back with the if they follow the right steps to respond to their currency seizure.

Even though this person was arrested, they have the right to try to get the money back by proving legitimate source and legitimate intended use. The CBP news release also correctly states the person can petition to have the seized money returned, but there are other options, too: a claim could be filed which initiate judicial forfeiture of seized currency, and I occasionally there are cases where making an offer in compromise makes sense.

CALEXICO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry Wednesday arrested a man after discovering more than $410,000 in unreported U.S. currency, hidden in the doors of the vehicle he was driving.

The incident occurred at about 7:15 a.m., on June 25, when CBP officers were conducting southbound inspections of travelers heading to Mexico through the Calexico border crossing. Officers targeted a 1998 Ford Expedition SUV and referred the driver and vehicle for a more in-depth examination.

Officers utilized the port’s imaging system and discovered anomalies within the Expedition’s rear doors. A CBP currency and firearms detector dog alerted to the area, leading officers to the discovery of several wrapped packages of U.S. currency concealed inside the rear doors of the vehicle. Officers extracted a total of 14 packages containing $410,980 in cash from the SUV

Officers extracted a total of 14 packages containing $410,980 in cash from the SUV.

The driver, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Los Angeles, was arrested and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations agents for further processing. He was later transported to the Imperial County Jail to await criminal arraignment.

CBP seized the vehicle and currency.

It is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

We handle currency seizure cases that occur at the Detroit airport and land border crossings like the Detroit/Windsor-Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge on a regular basis, and have been very successful in getting our client’s money back from customs. If you have had money seized by Detroit CBP/customs, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with cash seized by customs nationwide, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

CBP Seizes a $34K in Unreported Currency from Turkey-Bound Man at Washington Dulles

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on July 17, 2014

Customs can seize money from passengers transporting more than $10,000 when leaving the country, not just when entering the country. Recently, customs released an account of a customs money seizure where the person was leaving the United States at an airport and travelling to Istanbul, Turkey. It resulted in over 34,000 seized by customs/CBP for failure to report. This story is below.

When customs seizes your currency after arriving at an airport or border crossing you should keep calm and contact us. Even though it seems like the end of the world, there are legal steps that can be taken to get your money back through forfeiture remission proceedings. For instance, this passengercan get their money back by proving legitimate source and legitimate intended use and follow the right steps to respond to their currency seizure. On to the story (ORIGINAL HERE):

STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized $34,149 from a passenger departing to Istanbul, Turkey at Washington Dulles International Airport Monday for violating federal currency reporting regulations.

The passenger, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Turkey, was departing with his family when CBP officers asked how much currency he possessed. He initially reported $7,500, but then wrote down $15,000 after officers explained the currency reporting law to him.

During the CBP inspection, the passenger presented two bundles of $100 bills, $20,000 in total, from his handbag. Officers discovered an additional $10,000 in a carry-on bag, and $4,149 in the man’s wallet. A currency verification resulted in a total of $34,149.CBP seized the currency and released the man to continue his travels.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers may bring to, or take from the U.S.; however, federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency. Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers permit travelers multiple opportunities to truthfully report all currency in their possession, and this traveler failed to comply. The easiest way to hold on to one’s currency is to truthfully report all of it to a CBP officer,” said Stephen Kremer, Acting CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington.

The man was not criminally charged.

In addition to currency enforcement, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items.

Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel webpage to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

The story also notes that man was not criminally charged, although the failure to report itself is crime. When crossing the border with cash or monetary instruments, remember to stay calm and report anything in excess of $10,000 USD. The vast majority of our client’s have had their money taken by customs at the airport or at the land borders because of miscommunication, ignorance of the reporting requirement, confusion, fatigue from travel, and other times because of unfair, if not necessarily illegal, enforcement tactics used by customs.

We handle currency seizure cases that occur at the Detroit airport and land border crossings like the Detroit/Windsor-Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge on a regular basis, and are very successful in getting money back from customs. If you have had money seized by Detroit customs/CBP, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page.

We are able to assist with cash seized by customs nationwide, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

U.S. Customs Money Seizure Story; $145,000 Confiscated

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on July 10, 2014

Below is a news release concerning a customs currency seizure of more than $145,000 for failure to report and bulk cash smuggling (concealing money in cellophane bundles wrapped inside a shopping bag is predictably ripe for allegations by customs of bulk cash smuggling).

Based on the fact that the woman was arrested and the the prevalence of drug money seeping across the U.S.-Mexico border, it seems highly likely that something illegal was happening here. However, innocent people who simply failure to report the amount of currency they are transporting get their currency seized and confiscated by customs everyday at airports and land borders. These people can get their money back with the if they follow the right steps to respond to their currency seizure.

On to the full story:

EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents working at the El Paso port of entry seized $146,070 Thursday evening. The money was hidden in a shopping bag inside a vehicle that was leaving the U.S. at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing at the El Paso port of entry.

CBP officers and Border Patrol agents were conducting a southbound inspection operation at the BOTA crossing when a 2011 Dodge Durango attempted to leave the U.S. at approximately 11:15 p.m. CBP personnel selected the vehicle for an intensive examination after a preliminary interview with the driver. CBP currency detector canine “Nouska” searched the vehicle and alerted to a bag inside the vehicle. CBP officers and Border Patrol agents found three cellophane wrapped bundles inside the bag. The bundles were opened revealing the U.S. currency. CBP officers seized the currency. CBP officers dicovered [sic] three bundles of currency in a vehicle leaving the U.S. at the El Paso port of entry.

CBP officers took custody of the driver, 40-year-old Jennifer Guadalupe Hernandez, a U.S. citizen residing in El Paso. She was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI special agents in connection with the failed smuggling attempt and booked into the El Paso County jail where she is being held without bond.

“CBP officers and Border Patrol agents are checking southbound traffic everyday trying to stop guns, ammunition and unreported currency from being smuggled out of the country. Their diligence paid off in this enforcement action,” said Hector Mancha, U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso port director. “The unreported cash that we seize has an impact on the criminal organizations by making it more difficult for them to further their illicit activities.”

Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. Failure to report may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.

Customs Airport Money Seizure of nearly $200k

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on June 30, 2014

Customs officers conducting currency seizures last week in Philadelphia were busy. As reported by customs, they seized currency totaling $188,830 from three different sets of travelers arriving into the United States. Our customs law firm handles currency/money seizures made by customs in Detroit and around the country; call (734) 855-4999 to consult with a customs lawyer today.

The story told below is common among our currency seizure clients; their money was returned and they were not arrested, which indicates that customs did not suspect that the seized money was being transported as part of any criminal activity. In fact, the Iraqis who had their currency seized by customs were likely fleeing the escalating violence in Iraq and taking along with them their life savings, or a big chunk of it, to seek safety in the United States.

Here are the details from customs:

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a combined $188,830 during three federal currency reporting violations Monday through Wednesday at Philadelphia International Airport.

In the first seizure, a Ghanaian man, arrived Monday and reported that he possessed $9,400 in U.S. dollars and 80 Euros. During a baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered stacks of unreported U.S. Dollars, Euros and Ghana Cedi. CBP officers seized $39,500 and released the man.

In the second seizure, a couple from Iraqi, arrived Tuesday and reported that they possessed $10,000 in U.S. dollars and some Iraqi currency. During a baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered six bundles and loose currency of unreported U.S. Dollars, Iraqi Dinars and Qatari Riyal. CBP officers seized $111,000 and released the couple.

In the third seizure, a U.S. man and lawful permanent resident woman, arrived Wednesday and reported that they possessed a combined $15,000. During an inspection, CBP officers discovered three bundles of consecutively numbered $100 bills and additional U.S. currency. CBP officers seized $38,330 and released the couple.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers may bring to, or take from the U.S.; however, federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency. Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers permitted these travelers multiple opportunities to truthfully report all currency in their possession and they failed to comply. The easiest way to hold on to one’s currency is to truthfully report all of it to a CBP officer,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.

The Ghanaian man arrived from Frankfurt. The couples in the latter two cases arrived from Iraq via Qatar. None of the five travelers were criminally charged.

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

Customs Currency Seizure in Philly

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on June 26, 2014

Below is a news release concerning a $40,359 customs currency seizure for failure to report, which based on the report seems like the currency was seized not only for mis/failure to report of currency, but also because it was concealed inside clothing and the lining of his baggage, which customs considers bulk cash smuggling. We handle currency seizure cases just like this that occur at the Detroit airport and land border crossings like the Detroit/Windsor-Tunnel and Ambassador Bridge on a regular basis, and have been very successful in getting our client’s money back from customs. If you have had money seized by Detroit CBP/customs, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page.

Apparently, customs was satisfied that this person was not involved in any blatantly obvious criminal behavior because he was not arrested and apparently will not be criminally charged. That means that, in order to get his money back from customs, he will have to prove that the seized money came from a legtimate source and that he intended it for a legitimate use (e.g., nothing illegal). On to the full story:

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized $39,500 from a Ghanaian man for violating federal currency reporting regulations Monday at Philadelphia International Airport.

The man, whose name isn’t being released because he wasn’t criminally charged, arrived from Frankfurt about 4 p.m. A CBP officer referred him to a routine secondary baggage examination.

The man reported to CBP officers, both verbally and in writing, that he possessed $9,400 in U.S. dollars and 80 Euros. The baggage exam revealed two stacks of U.S. currency and Ghana Cedi inside clothing and the baggage liner. A currency verification revealed $39,500 in U.S. dollars, 80 Euros and 2,280 Ghana Cedi, for a combined $40,359 in equivalent U.S. dollars.

CBP seized $39,500 and returned the foreign currency to the man for humanitarian purposes.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers may bring to, or take from the U.S.; however, federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency. Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers permitted this traveler multiple opportunities to truthfully report all currency in his possession. Hopefully, this is a lesson to all travelers that the easiest way to hold on to their currency is to truthfully report it all to a CBP officer,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

Customs Seizure of $91,215 in Currency at Border

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on June 12, 2014

Below is a news release quoted from customs about a $91,215 customs currency seizure. If this person whose cash was seized by customs wasn’t up to anything illegal, then customs currency seizure was totally avoidable. He would have had to file the currency report, and demonstrate a legitimate source and legitimate intended use for the money. That is still what he will have to do if he wants to get the money back. But, he could have taken it with him had he only not hid the money and given Customs what they needed.

Let’s have a look at the story:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting inbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville Port of Entry seized $91,215 in bulk U.S. currency.

On May 29, 2014, CBP officers working enforcement operations at the Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country as it attempted to enter the United States. The driver, an 18 year-old United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas was referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, a search of the Town & Country resulted in the discovery of packages containing $91,215 in bulk U.S. currency hidden within the vehicle.

CBP officers seized the currency; the driver has been transferred into the custody of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

“Persistence and dedication in northbound enforcement inspections are critical to our efforts of keeping undeclared currency from being imported without meeting proper reporting requirements. I commend our CBP officers for an outstanding seizure and arrest in this alleged bulk currency smuggling case,” said David Moreno, acting CBP Port Director, Brownsville.

It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.

CBP Field Operations at Brownsville Port of Entry is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.

If you have had money seized by customs call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with cash seized by customs nationwide, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

Customs Currency Seizure; Criminal Charges for Bulk Cash Smugglers

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on June 4, 2014

U.S. customs effected a currency seizure of unreported currency under the bulk cash smuggling laws from citizens of the Dominican Republic and United States, who are all related and travelling together. Some interesting things to note about this story is that although the money seems to be from a legitimate source because the story says it was from a business, criminal charges were nevertheless brought against all individuals involved in the bulk cash smuggling. Bulk cash smuggling is illegal, no matter the source. We have written articles about bulk cash smuggling before HERE.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized $53,000 in unreported currency Friday, transported by three passengers boarding the M/V Caribbean Fantasy ferry departing to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

CBP Officers selected Dominican Republic citizen Mr. Felipe Alvarez, 69, for examination and explained to him the currency reporting requirements. During the interview, Mr. Alvarez declared to be traveling alone and transporting less than $10,000. Intensive examination revealed that he was traveling with two other passengers, US citizen Manuel De La Rosa, 47, and Dominican Republic citizen Cristian De La Rosa, 35, both nephews of Mr. Alvarez.

Subsequent interview and exam of the three passengers revealed non reported currency within their clothing and in their carry-on items totaling $53,726.00. Mr. Alvarez later admitted that the money transported by him and his nephews were proceeds of his business in the Dominican Republic.

The currency was seized under bulk cash smuggling laws and Assistant AUSA Olga Castellón approved criminal prosecution for the three individuals.

Those arrested were remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for processing and further investigation.

“The unreported cash that we seize has an impact on criminal organizations by making it more difficult for them to further their illicit activities,” said Juan Hurtado, San Juan area port director. “CBP officers remain vigilant generating important enforcement activity regularly.”

Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the United States. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. Failure to report may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

Source: http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2013/1/28/46527/US-agents-seize-US53000-from-local-man-at-San-Juan-Seaport

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog:

Customs Money Seizure; $150K Seized at Border Crossing

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on May 9, 2014

What follows is an account of a currency seizure recently released by U.S. Customs & Border Protection where the traveler had almost $150,000 seized because he failed to report the currency. Anyone who transports more than $10,000 into or outside of the United States must file a report with customs, prior to or at the time of crossing. When customs seizes your currency after arriving at an airport or border crossing you should keep calm and contact us. Even though it seems like the end of the world, there are legal steps that can be taken to get your money back through forfeiture remission proceedings. On to the story (ORIGINAL HERE):

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized $143,932 in unreported U.S. currency from a McAllen, Texas man as he attempted to enter into Mexico.

“This seizure of unreported U.S. currency was accomplished due to our officers’ outstanding attention to detail and excellent observational skills,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “Although transporting currency either way across the border is not illegal, as long as it is declared to CBP, most seizures of currency involve money having been obtained from illicit activities.”

CBP officers working at the Hidalgo-Reynosa Bridge outbound lanes on May 6 encountered a U.S. based taxicab as it attempted to exit into Mexico. The driver and lone occupant, a 40-year-old male U.S. citizen were asked to declare what they were transporting into Mexico, to include currency in excess of $10,000. After further interaction with the passenger, the taxicab was referred to secondary for further examination. During the process of the secondary inspection, CBP officers discovered bundles of U.S. currency concealed within the traveler’s personal belongings. CBP-OFO removed and seized several stacks of unreported U.S. currency, which totaled $143,932.

CBP-OFO arrested the male traveler and subsequently released him to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

When crossing the border with cash or monetary instruments, remember to stay calm and report anything in excess of $10,000 USD.

The reason your currency was seized by customs may be different. The vast majority of my client’s have had their money taken by customs at the airport or at the land borders because of miscommunication, ignorance of the reporting requirement, confusion, fatigue from travel, and other times because of unfair, if not necessarily illegal, enforcement tactics used by customs. If you have had money seized by customs, keep calm and call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with cash seized by customs nationwide, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Please read these other articles from our customs law blog: