US Customs agents checking DEPARTING flights?
Oct 11, 2003 | 5:26 pm
#16
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I was recently stopped by three Customs agents in ANC during a fuel-stop JFK-ANC-ICN. Perhaps it was my bulging briefcase (full of legal docs) that they hoped would be full of cash and other liquid securities. Not. Nonetheless, they were professional about it all.
Oct 11, 2003 | 10:18 pm
#17
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I am in Denver this weekend. Here is a very sad story from today's local paper about what can happen if you fail to declare a large sum of cash as you take it out of the country:
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/lo...339195,00.html
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/lo...339195,00.html
Oct 12, 2003 | 7:48 am
#18
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Flying from Amsterdam, some customs agents actually boarded the flight before we departed and checked the passenger next to me. They asked him to produce the diamonds that he bought while in Amsterdam and was claiming of his tax refund, which he did.
Oct 12, 2003 | 8:17 am
#19
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CanuckFlyer:
I am in Denver this weekend. Here is a very sad story from today's local paper about what can happen if you fail to declare a large sum of cash as you take it out of the country:
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/lo...339195,00.html
</font>
I am in Denver this weekend. Here is a very sad story from today's local paper about what can happen if you fail to declare a large sum of cash as you take it out of the country:
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/lo...339195,00.html
</font>
Not only did the passengers fail to declare the cash up front, but they also LIED to the customs officer when asked. Sad as it may be to see them lose the money, no civilized society can allow folks to get away with openly flaunting the law like that.
Oct 12, 2003 | 8:28 am
#20
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:
I find it hard to believe that the article spun the story so that Customs comes across as the bad guys here.
Not only did the passengers fail to declare the cash up front, but they also LIED to the customs officer when asked. Sad as it may be to see them lose the money, no civilized society can allow folks to get away with openly flaunting the law like that.</font>
I find it hard to believe that the article spun the story so that Customs comes across as the bad guys here.
Not only did the passengers fail to declare the cash up front, but they also LIED to the customs officer when asked. Sad as it may be to see them lose the money, no civilized society can allow folks to get away with openly flaunting the law like that.</font>
Just because something is the law doesn't make it moral or "right". I can understand people not wanting to follow this particular law. While I may not flout the law, I do not agree with it and can understand why people would not obey it.
Oct 12, 2003 | 8:58 am
#21
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Not surprised, didnt take too long for the usual supects to rush to the defense of US customs.
What I think most people are unaware is that if you are stopped by any law-enforcement officer ( for any reason, speeding ticket qualifies) and found to have more than $10,000.00 on your person, the officer is required to sieze it ( after it is counted in your presence) until you can prove it belongs to you, in addition a report of the incident MUST be filed with the IRS.
Scary stuff indeed for people like me since I might be in that situation returning from Las Vegas or even my local racetrack. When one thinks about $10,000.00 is not a hell of a lot of money.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-12-2003).]
What I think most people are unaware is that if you are stopped by any law-enforcement officer ( for any reason, speeding ticket qualifies) and found to have more than $10,000.00 on your person, the officer is required to sieze it ( after it is counted in your presence) until you can prove it belongs to you, in addition a report of the incident MUST be filed with the IRS.
Scary stuff indeed for people like me since I might be in that situation returning from Las Vegas or even my local racetrack. When one thinks about $10,000.00 is not a hell of a lot of money.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-12-2003).]
Oct 12, 2003 | 10:38 am
#22
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MIKESILV:
Not surprised, didnt take too long for the usual supects to rush to the defense of US customs.
What I think most people are unaware is that if you are stopped by any law-enforcement officer ( for any reason, speeding ticket qualifies) and found to have more than $10,000.00 on your person, the officer is required to sieze it ( after it is counted in your presence) until you can prove it belongs to you, in addition a report of the incident MUST be filed with the IRS.
Scary stuff indeed for people like me since I might be in that situation returning from Las Vegas or even my local racetrack. When one thinks about $10,000.00 is not a hell of a lot of money.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-12-2003).]</font>
Not surprised, didnt take too long for the usual supects to rush to the defense of US customs.
What I think most people are unaware is that if you are stopped by any law-enforcement officer ( for any reason, speeding ticket qualifies) and found to have more than $10,000.00 on your person, the officer is required to sieze it ( after it is counted in your presence) until you can prove it belongs to you, in addition a report of the incident MUST be filed with the IRS.
Scary stuff indeed for people like me since I might be in that situation returning from Las Vegas or even my local racetrack. When one thinks about $10,000.00 is not a hell of a lot of money.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-12-2003).]</font>
Thanks!
Oct 12, 2003 | 6:03 pm
#23
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I have transported $10k in cash or bearer instruments into and out of many countries (most recently in August into Canada) and always make it a point to declare it at both departure and arrival. Never had a problem on that front in any country. I always carry a covering letter from my company explaining that I am an authorized officer to transport the money just in case I'm asked, but I've never needed it yet.
Oct 13, 2003 | 3:14 pm
#24
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Mikesilv-- I believe you are referring to the Drug Currency Forfeitures Act, which was never passed.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">S.2449
Title: A bill to amend the Controlled Substance Act relating to the forfeiture of currency in connection with illegal drug offenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Cleland, Max [GA] (introduced 9/8/1998) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 9/8/1998 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Drug Currency Forfeitures Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to create a rebuttable presumption that property is subject to forfeiture if the Government offers a reasonable basis to believe that, based on specified circumstances, there is a substantial connection between the property and a drug trafficking offense. Includes among such circumstances that: (1) the property at issue is currency in excess of $10,000 that was being transported through an airport, on a highway, or at a port-of-entry and was packaged or concealed in a highly unusual manner, was being transported by a person who provided false information to any inspection officer, was found near a measurable quantity of a controlled substance, or was the subject of a positive alert by a trained dog; (2) the property at issue was acquired during a time period by a person who was engaged in a drug trafficking offense and there is no other likely source for such property; (3) the property at issue was, or was intended to be, transported, transmitted, or transferred to or from a major drug-transit country, illicit drug producing country, or money laundering country, and specified other conditions are met; or (4) any person involved in the transaction giving rise to the forfeiture action has been convicted in any Federal, State, or foreign jurisdiction of a drug trafficking offense or a felony involving money laundering, or is a fugitive from prosecution for such an offense.
Amends the Federal criminal code provisions concerning money laundering forfeitures to create a rebuttable presumption that property is the proceeds of an offense involving the felonious manufacture, importation, or other dealing in a controlled substance, and thus constitutes the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, if any of the circumstances set forth above apply.</font>
Title: A bill to amend the Controlled Substance Act relating to the forfeiture of currency in connection with illegal drug offenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Cleland, Max [GA] (introduced 9/8/1998) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 9/8/1998 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Drug Currency Forfeitures Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to create a rebuttable presumption that property is subject to forfeiture if the Government offers a reasonable basis to believe that, based on specified circumstances, there is a substantial connection between the property and a drug trafficking offense. Includes among such circumstances that: (1) the property at issue is currency in excess of $10,000 that was being transported through an airport, on a highway, or at a port-of-entry and was packaged or concealed in a highly unusual manner, was being transported by a person who provided false information to any inspection officer, was found near a measurable quantity of a controlled substance, or was the subject of a positive alert by a trained dog; (2) the property at issue was acquired during a time period by a person who was engaged in a drug trafficking offense and there is no other likely source for such property; (3) the property at issue was, or was intended to be, transported, transmitted, or transferred to or from a major drug-transit country, illicit drug producing country, or money laundering country, and specified other conditions are met; or (4) any person involved in the transaction giving rise to the forfeiture action has been convicted in any Federal, State, or foreign jurisdiction of a drug trafficking offense or a felony involving money laundering, or is a fugitive from prosecution for such an offense.
Amends the Federal criminal code provisions concerning money laundering forfeitures to create a rebuttable presumption that property is the proceeds of an offense involving the felonious manufacture, importation, or other dealing in a controlled substance, and thus constitutes the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, if any of the circumstances set forth above apply.</font>
Oct 13, 2003 | 3:43 pm
#25
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Not sure what the current governing act is:
This was brought to my attention by a cargo vessel agency whose owner told me that his personnel had to be carrying documentation when conveying more than $10,000, to prove that the cash they were carrying was obtained by legitimate purposes. ( It very common to provide large quantities of cash to vessel for crews visiting US and other ports)
With the fear that they may be hassled if stopped by police or one of the myriad of govt agencies playing at security, and bearing in mind that some of the agencies have wider search powers than your normal traffic cop.
Since I found it very hard to believe the necessity for his precautions I bet him lunch at the restaurant of his choice.
We had a telephone chat with a relative who is best described as an high level investigative officer with the IRS.
I believe the agency owner enjoyed his lunch at one of Tampa/s better restaurants.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-13-2003).]
This was brought to my attention by a cargo vessel agency whose owner told me that his personnel had to be carrying documentation when conveying more than $10,000, to prove that the cash they were carrying was obtained by legitimate purposes. ( It very common to provide large quantities of cash to vessel for crews visiting US and other ports)
With the fear that they may be hassled if stopped by police or one of the myriad of govt agencies playing at security, and bearing in mind that some of the agencies have wider search powers than your normal traffic cop.
Since I found it very hard to believe the necessity for his precautions I bet him lunch at the restaurant of his choice.
We had a telephone chat with a relative who is best described as an high level investigative officer with the IRS.
I believe the agency owner enjoyed his lunch at one of Tampa/s better restaurants.
mike
[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 10-13-2003).]
Oct 13, 2003 | 6:08 pm
#26
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I don't doubt that lots of nasty law enforcement officers (or wannabes) will seize any money they can get their hands on. However, you make it sound as if there's a specific law/regulation that compels them to do so. If so, then please provide the citation; if it exists as a written regulation, then it should be a public document.
On a related note, the war on civil liberties is now called the war on terrorism, instead of the war on drugs -- watch for more and more currency control regulations in the interest of "protecting us from terrorists." They have already lowered the CTR threshold amounts, haven't they?
On another related note, I was reading about an organized crime group that would "hit" its enemies by filing false CTR's on them. Hehe.
On a related note, the war on civil liberties is now called the war on terrorism, instead of the war on drugs -- watch for more and more currency control regulations in the interest of "protecting us from terrorists." They have already lowered the CTR threshold amounts, haven't they?
On another related note, I was reading about an organized crime group that would "hit" its enemies by filing false CTR's on them. Hehe.
Oct 13, 2003 | 8:04 pm
#27
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
On a related note, the war on civil liberties is now called the war on terrorism, instead of the war on drugs -- watch for more and more currency control regulations in the interest of "protecting us from terrorists." They have already lowered the CTR threshold amounts, haven't they?
</font>
On a related note, the war on civil liberties is now called the war on terrorism, instead of the war on drugs -- watch for more and more currency control regulations in the interest of "protecting us from terrorists." They have already lowered the CTR threshold amounts, haven't they?
</font>
Remember those incredible ads that said that if you buy drugs, you are supporting terrorism?
Oct 13, 2003 | 11:06 pm
#28
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Yes, now money laundering is done by "terrorists" instead of "drug lords"</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Remember those incredible ads that said that if you buy drugs, you are supporting terrorism?</font>
Oct 13, 2003 | 11:53 pm
#29
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The only people I see on the jetway are the folk who are saying, hey you folk that bought the make-up or booze cheap at duty-free, can you please get your bag so I can go back to work/sleep until the next intl flight?! 
In a lot of flying years intly, that's truly all I've seen at departure, so not sure how prevelant Customs or IRS are on checking depature flightts. Have to go now; need to figure out thread/needle to sew diamonds & $$ into my pant leg hem :P)
------------------
Sharon
In a lot of flying years intly, that's truly all I've seen at departure, so not sure how prevelant Customs or IRS are on checking depature flightts. Have to go now; need to figure out thread/needle to sew diamonds & $$ into my pant leg hem :P)------------------
Sharon