C.B.P. News Release

Philadelphia CBP Seize $64K in Undeclared Currency

Second Currency Seizure in Nine Days from Passengers from Greece

(Friday, September 30, 2011)

Philadelphia—Customs and Border Protection officers at Philadelphia International Airport seized more than $64,000 in undeclared currency from an elderly passenger returning from Greece Wednesday.

This is the second currency seizure from passengers returning from Greece in nine days. CBP officers seized $139,349 concealed in black socks Sept. 20 from a couple in their 70’s. Neither case is related.

In the latest case, CBP officers discovered $4,740 in U.S. dollars and $43,640 in Euros during a luggage inspection. The Euros equal more than $59,400 in U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. The 71-year-old man declared, both verbally and in writing, that he understood the currency reporting requirements and that he possessed only $3,240 in U.S. dollars and $350 in euros.

Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $64,000 from a 71-year-old man who arrived to Philadelphia International Airport Sept. 28 from Greece. This seizure follows by eight days a $139,000 currency seizure from a couple in their 70’s who also arrived to Philadelphia from Greece.

CBP officers seized the currency for violating federal currency reporting laws and returned $1,040 euros as humanitarian relief. CBP officers also advised the man how to petition for his currency, and released him without criminal charges.

“These seizures reinforce the notion that no one is immune from violating U.S. laws,â€