see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   CBP Officers Nab More than $1 Million in Narcotics in 48-hour Period   Philadelphia CBP Seizes $650,000 in Fake Bank Checks   CBP on a Roll Seizing Fake Handbags, Footwear Again in California   Calexico Downtown Port Officers Intercept $100K Narcotic Smuggling Attempt   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Know Before You Go

contacts for this news release

Baltimore – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than $36,000 in undeclared currency from two travelers and three grams of marijuana from a third traveler at Baltimore Washington International Airport Monday and Tuesday. Local authorities arrested the traveler on a narcotics charge.

A traveler arrived to BWI from the United Kingdom on Monday and checked “no” on the CBP Customs Declaration Form (6059B) that asked if he was carrying currency or monetary instruments over $10,000 in equivalent U.S. currency. Travelers are entitled to carry any amount of monetary instruments into or out of the United States, however they are required under 31 USC 5316 to report amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars.

CBP officers asked the traveler the value of any currency or monetary instruments he was carrying. He told CBP officers he was not carrying any cash at all, but rather that he was carrying only bank cards. CBP officers offered the traveler an opportunity to amend his CBP Declaration Form to indicate the actual value of his currency, but the traveler refused. After an examination of his luggage, $10,170 in equivalent U.S. currency was discovered. CBP officers seized the traveler’s currency in accordance with 19 USC 1497.

Another traveler arrived to BWI from the United Kingdom on Tuesday and noted on his CBP declaration that he was not carrying more than $10,000. During a secondary examination he was given several opportunities to amend his Customs Declaration form and reluctantly listed $10,000 in U.S. dollars and 500 British pounds. After CBP officers began a secondary examination of his luggage and discovered additional currency, he admitted carrying an additional $11,000 in U.S. equivalency. CBP officers discovered and seized $26,000 in U.S. equivalent value in accordance with 19 USC 1497.

“During the examination, the traveler offered multiple inconsistencies regarding how he obtained the currency and its intended use, and our officers seized the currency based on the traveler’s failure to declare and his deliberate attempts to conceal the currency he was transporting,” said Walter Simmons, CBP Baltimore Port Director.

In a separate seizure Monday, CBP officers seized three grams of marijuana from a passenger arriving from Jamaica after locating rolling papers in the traveler’s baggage. A further examination revealed a small plastic bag containing a substance that tested positive for marijuana rolled up in a pair of socks. Maryland Transportation Authority Police took possession of the marijuana and arrested the traveler.

“These seizures illustrate CBP officer’s continued due diligence in conducting primary and secondary inspections of travelers who attempt to circumvent U.S. laws and who attempt to bring illicit narcotics to the U.S.,” said Simmons. “Our primary mission is to protect the U.S. and our citizens against terrorists or terrorist weapons, but we are also charged with enforcing an extraordinary number of U.S. travel and trade regulations, and our officers do an exemplary job everyday.”

Travelers should visit CBP's Know before You Go before arriving to the United States to better understand specific reporting requirements and products that are admissible to help expedite their immigration and customs processing upon arrival. ( Know Before You Go )

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.