see also: in November 2008:   Thanksgiving Day Marijuana Seizure Yields 450 Pounds at Douglas Port of Entry   Registered Sex Offender Intercepted by CBP at Pacific Highway Entry   CBP Officers Seize 145 Pounds of Ecstasy at Vermont Entry   CBP Officers in Boston Seize Undeclared $19,300   CBP Advises Travelers of Temporary Construction at Otay Mesa Border Crossing   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California   Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Imposter ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Phoenix – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $16,210 in undeclared currency at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Thursday, November 6, from a passenger arriving on a British Airlines flight.

“Part of our mission is to detect and stop contraband smuggling attempts,” said Port Director Donald Anderson, “and when we stop what might be illicit funds from reaching the hands of terrorist groups, smuggling organizations, or others involved in illicit activity, then we are accomplishing our mission.”

The incident began Thursday evening when officers performing inspections of arriving passengers on British Airlines flight 289 selected a male passenger for further questioning after receiving vague and inconsistent answers regarding the amount of currency he was transporting, and other items being brought out of the country, officers became suspicious of his answers and decided a through inspection was needed.

Officers searched the briefcase and luggage and discovered currency and travelers checks. A count of the bills and travelers checks resulted in a total of $16,210.

The money was seized and the traveler was interviewed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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.