US officials seize unreported $13,000 from a Ghanaian at Dulles airport

The US border agency has seized an amount of $13, 585 from a Ghanaian at the Dulles Airport after the man violated the American currency reporting regulations.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the Ghanaian [name withheld] who was boarding a flight to The Netherlands, was caught with a sum cash of $13,585 after he declared “verbally and in writing possessing $8,700”.

“During the interview CBP officers explained the currency and monetary instruments reporting requirements and asked him numerous times how much money he was travelling with. He declared verbally and in writing possessing $8,700. A subsequent search produced a total of $13,585,” the agency said in a statement December 27, 2013.

The agency added that the $13,585 was seized with $185 being returned to him for humanitarian relief.

There is no limit to how much currency travelers can import or export; however the US federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency.

The CBP said it has advised the Ghanaian how to petition for the return of his seized currency but “may potentially face criminal charges” said Christopher Hess, CBP port director for the Port of Washington.

Mr Hess explained that “the traveler was given the opportunity to truthfully report his currency. The easiest way to hold on to your money is to report it.”

By Ekow Quandzie