Tag: orlando

$3,700 in counterfeit cash seized by CBP from an Argentinian woman laid out on a metal table presented by a CBP officer

CBP Seizes Over $72K in Undeclared Currency in Florida

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on

Today, a story came out of Orlando, Florida, about a pretty large cash seizure. The story — which is light on the details about where they were from or where they were going — is a classic case failure to report combined with a bulk cash smuggling offense.

It is a failure to report because they did not file the FinCen 105 upon entry or departure with the customs officer in charge of the airport. It is also a failure to report because when stopped, they made an inaccurate declaration as to the amount seized; the reported first $15,000, then $51,000, but were ultimately found with $72,000.

It will likely be seized because the money was not reported — and mis-reported — and also hidden from view, such as someone might hide it prevent to discovery by CBP. These two elements — failure to report and hiding — will allow CBP to presume that the money was hidden with the intent it not be reported to CBP, which is the essence of a bulk cash smuggling offense.

Here’s the story:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Florida reminds travelers of the requirement to report currency amounts of $10,000 or more to CBP when traveling to or from the United States. CBP officers seized over $72,000 in unreported currency from a traveler at Orlando International Airport (MCO) for failing to declare this week.

The individual initially said they possessed $15,000 to CBP officers and further misstated the amount as $51,000 in writing. CBP officers subsequently discovered bundles of cash inside a backpack.

International travelers who arrive or depart the United States in possession of more than $10,000 or equivalent foreign currency are required to report all currency to CBP officers and completeĀ a Treasury Department Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) form.

Consequences for violating U.S. currency reporting laws are severe and may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

Have you had money seized by CBP in Orlando?

If CBP in Orlando has seized your cash, you need a lawyer. Read our trusted customs money seizure legal guideĀ and can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Texas CBP seized cash. A picture of 19 stacks of $20 and $100 bills part of the cash seized by CBP at Hidalgo International Bridge

Orlando Cash Seizure by CBP

Posted by Jason P. Wapiennik on

An Orlando cash seizure by U.S. Customs & Border Protection at Orando International Airport is a first for this customs “blawg”. The story from CBP, quoted in part below, describes the events leading up to a seizure. In this case, the cash smuggler was a Spaniard exiting the country for Costa Rica in Orlando. He only reported having $800 cash, not the $100,000 he was found with:

The individual, a Spanish passport holder, was boarding a flight to Costa Rica when stopped for questioning by CBP officers performing outbound operations.Ā  When asked how much money he was carrying the man responded $800. However, upon further inspection of the man and his luggage CBP officers discovered the unreported currency violating federal currency reporting regulations.

The story says this was cash smuggling (a/k/a bulk cash smuggling), but does not explain why. Recall as we’ve explained here before that bulk cash smuggling involves the concealment of cash in any way with an intent to evade the cash reporting requirement.

No word, though, on how it was concealed or what tipped CBP off leading to this big Orlando cash seizure. That’s a fairly big wad of cash; even assuming it was all in $100 bills, that would still be a total of 10,000 Benjamins. The laws are enforced differently by each port, with more of less zeal than others. It could be that the money was just in a carry-on bag in one or two places and CBP considered it bulk cash smuggling because it was not in plain sight and it was coupled with a failure to report. In other words, if I put $100,000 in my bag and, when asked, tell CBP I only have $800 then CBP is pretty safe in presuming that I am evading the reporting requirement and that is why I’ve hid the cash.

On the other hand, the smuggling could be more intentional. It could be that it bundles of currency were sewn into the lining of the luggage, or into the lining of clothing that was then placed in the carry-on. That is a stronger showing of concealment with intent to evade because more planning is involved in sewing the money in a way that avoids casual discovery.

Have you experienced an Orlando cash seizure by CBP?

If you experienced an Orlando cash seizure by U.S. Customs & Border ProtectionĀ  you can learn more about the process from our trusted customs money seizure legal guide and can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.