Almost a half-million dollars being smuggled out of the United States was found in furniture at the Miami International Airport. The shipment was destined to the Dominican Republic and was selected for examination during outbound enforcement operations. $500,000 United States dollars equals 29 million Domincan pesos!
On Sept. 3, 2020 United States Customs officers at the Miami International Airport discovered $491,280 in unreported U.S. currency concealed inside the bottom of a cushion chair that was part of a crate containing furniture. The failure to report cash or negotiable monetary instruments in excess of $10,000 being exported from the United States is a violation of U.S. currency reporting requirements.
Consequences for violating U.S. currency reporting laws may include the seizure and forfeiture of most or all of the money, and potential criminal charges.
Robert Del Toro, an Acting Port Director at Miami International Airport says:
“Criminal organizations will attempt to export large sums of cash to launder their ill-gotten gains. This is a significant seizure and represents the impact we can make on criminal’s profits. This seizure was the direct result of our officer’s vigilance and watchfulness.”
It is legal to carry large sums of currency into or out of the United States. However, federal law requires that travelers who possess $10,000 or more in currency or other monetary instruments must report it all to a U.S. Customs officer at the airport, seaport, or land border crossing when entering or leaving the United States.
