C.B.P. News Release

CBP Announces April Statistics for Detroit Metro Airport

(Tuesday, May 18, 2010)

Detroit - In April, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists at the Detroit Metro Airport port of entry processed more than 107,000 passengers and intercepted more than $290,000 in currency, 1,854 agricultural and meat items and 264 pests from travelers entering and leaving the country.

During the month, CBP officers processed 107,130 passengers who arrived at Detroit Metro Airport from a foreign country. Among those, 433 were new immigrants to the U.S.; 61 were denied entry or allowed to withdraw their application to enter the U.S. due to various reasons including not having a proper visa.

A significant encounter involved a citizen of Great Britain who was attempting to enter the U.S. to make contact with a 16-year-old female he had been corresponding with via the Internet. This individual was refused entry to the country and returned to Great Britain.

In 11 separate incidents during the month of April, CBP officers at Detroit Metro Airport intercepted more than $290,246 from passengers entering or leaving the U.S. Each incident involved the failure of the passenger to report that they were carrying more than $10,000 into or out of the country, as required by law. Smugglers and terrorist organizations are known to use travelers to move money into and out of the country to continue to finance their illegal activities.

Meanwhile, agriculture specialists intercepted 1,345 plants and fruits, 509 meat products and 264 pests during the month of April. The interception of these harmful plants, fruits and meat products is a key mission for CBP, and it helps to protect the nation’s agriculture industry.

“We who work for CBP are dedicated to protecting our country and our way of life,â€