see also: in December 2007 News Releases:   Fugitive with $1 Million Bail Apprehended by CBP   Canada, CBP Team to Arrest U.S. Citizen Wanted for Sex Offense Charges With Child   Calexico, Calif. East Port to Extend Hours New Year’s Eve   Quick Action by Border Patrol Agent Saves Life on Christmas Day   CBP Officers Seize Over Half a Million in Cocaine, Marijuana, and Arrest One at Laredo Port of Entry   CBP Detains Missing Wanted Juvenile at Del Rio Port of Entry   CBP in Laredo, Texas Detains ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ Suspect Wanted on Bank Robbery Charges ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Los Angeles — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized more than $1.3 million in U.S. currency from travelers departing the United States during fiscal year 2007, a 46 percent increase from the year prior.

“These seizures are part of both CBP’s antiterrorism and counter-drug efforts at LAX, and will continue to be a focus area for our operations in 2008,” said Kevin K. McAleenan, area port director, Los Angeles.

CBP officers at the Los Angeles International Airport seized amounts totaling $1,314,825 from passengers who failed to report having more than $10,000 in their possession during outbound flight inspections. Many passengers have stated that they were unaware of this requirement, but filled out the necessary paperwork when informed by officers. Others have indicated that they knew of such requirement, but simply chose not to report it to authorities. In general, CBP officers routinely seize the currency of the passengers making a willful attempt to evade the reporting requirements.

Kevin W. Weeks, CBP’s director of field operations for Los Angeles, said, “A 46 percent increase is significant and is just another example of CBP officers’ continual improvement on inspectional techniques to aid in intercepting individuals who intentionally violate U.S. law.”

There is no limit on the amount of monetary instruments a traveler can bring into or out of the United States. Monetary instruments include: U.S. or foreign coins, currency, traveler’s checks, money orders and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

Any traveler with momentary instruments of more than $10,000 is required to file a Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments, FinCen Form 105. The FinCen Form 105 needs to be filed with a CBP officer at a port of entry, each time a passenger arrives or departs the U.S. carrying more than $10,000 of monetary instruments.

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.