U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, with the assistance of canine units, have seized over $171,016 in unreported currency at Washington Dulles International Airport since March 5th. According to the CBP, detector dogs Fuzz and Cigy played a key role in these efforts, assisting officers in detecting currency in six of the 10 reported violations.
On a recent weekend, two significant seizures included $13,046 from a traveler heading to Brussels and $17,360 from an individual en route to Amman. The operations were aided by "Fuzz, a four-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, [who] alerted to bulk currency in the traveler’s possession."
Throughout March, CBP reported a busy period with $140,610 seized in eight instances of currency reporting violations. The travelers were departing to destinations such as Accra, Lagos, and Seoul. Christine Waugh, CBP's Area Port Director for Washington, D.C., explained, "Federal currency reporting laws help CBP combat illicit financial activity at our nation’s ports of entry, which contributes to the financial security of our nation and to the protection of our most vulnerable citizens from becoming unwitting victims of financial crime."
Travelers are reminded that while there is no cap on the currency they may bring to or take out of the United States, federal law mandates reporting amounts of $10,000 or more. This requirement helps prevent incidents of smuggling and financial fraud. Failing to report such currency can carry severe penalties, including missing flights, vacation disruptions, seizure of currency, or even criminal prosecution.
CBP officers seized an average of $183,000 in unreported or illicit currency daily in fiscal year 2023. These operations form part of their broader border security mission at national Ports of Entry.
For updates and more information, CBP encourages following their social media accounts, including @DFOBaltimore on platform X and @cbpfieldops on Instagram.
