C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers Seize Undeclared Currency from Canadian Woman

(Friday, July 30, 2010)

Overton Corners, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protections Officers today announced the seizure of $212,485 in US currency and the federal arrest of one individual in the smuggling attempt.

On July 28, CBP officers encountered 61-year-old Monique Storie, a Canadian citizen from St. Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec, as she attempted to leave the United States via the Overton’s Corners, N.Y. border crossing. Mrs. Storie advised CBP that she was returning to Canada after being on her boat in the local area for the last three days. CBP officers obtained a negative outbound declaration for currency and merchandise from Storie and selected her for a secondary enforcement exam.

During the secondary interview, the currency reporting requirements were explained to Mrs. Storie, who reported that she was traveling with less than $10,000. A search of Mrs. Storie’s purse revealed a vacuum-sealed bag of U.S. currency. The bag was found to contain $24,495 in U.S. currency.

A search of the subject’s vehicle revealed 4 additional bags located in a bag containing adult diapers and in the folds of a blanket which were stowed in the back seat of the pick up truck. The bags were found to contain $187,990 in U.S. currency.

CBP officers seized a total of $212,485 in U.S. currency. Storie was arrested and charged with bulk currency smuggling and turned over to agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Kevin Corsaro
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (716) 626-0400 Ext: 204
Fax: (716) 626-7627

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_2.xml