MIAMI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Miami International Airport (MIA) seized $228,100 in counterfeit U.S. currency arriving in a package from Peru last month.
Counterfeit currency seized in Miami.
On July 23, CBP officers selected the package for an intensive examination and observed several densities in an unusual pattern on the X-ray screen. CBP officers opened the packaged and discovered various cushions including some with unusual densities.
Officers X-rayed the cushions individually and confirmed the densities. CBP officers then cut open the cushions and found a total of eleven sets of plastic covers taped together. CBP opened the covers and found a total of $228,100 in suspected counterfeit U. S. currency.
CBP observed that the bills were of poor quality and closer scrutiny questioned their validity. CBP notified the U.S. Secret Service and the bills were determined to be counterfeit. CBP seized the counterfeit currency and turned it over to the U.S. Secret Service for further investigation.
“This seizure is an excellent example of the critical role CBP plays in preventing counterfeit currency from entering the United States,” said Miami International Airport Port Director Christopher Maston. “Our officers collaborate daily with other agencies, such as the U.S. Secret Service, to accomplish CBP’s mission.”
CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international passengers and cargo, and searches for terrorist weapons, illicit narcotics, unreported currency, counterfeit merchandise, and prohibited agriculture and other products.
Every year the public is victimized by the counterfeiting of United States currency and other U.S. obligations. If you suspect a counterfeit note or have information about counterfeiting activity, please report it immediately to the U.S. Secret Service.
To find out more about CBP operations in Florida, visit @CBPFlorida on Twitter.