The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently seized an unreported $98,762 at Washington Dulles International Airport, from an Ethiopian man who was traveling to Addis Ababa.
CBP, U.S. primary border control organization, in a press release notified that officials found unreported $79,650 inside shoes and pockets while further exminining his baggage after the man initially reported for holding $14,000.
The statement added, the unnamed man who is also a lawful resident in the country could face charges of violating the U.S. currency reporting law which requires travelers to report money that exceeds $10,000 before leaving or entering the country.
If found to be guilty the penalty could include criminal charges in addition to the seizure of most or all of the currency that had been caught. Although an individual may petition for the return of seized currency, he must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
CBP is the largest law enforcement agency in the U.S., with a stated mission of regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs, and immigration.
With its more than 62,000 employees CBP, reportedly seizes an average of $207,000 unregistered or illicit currency along the U.S. borders every day.
