MIAMI, USA — US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents and federal partners seized approximately $500,000 in undeclared currency after stopping a vessel for an outbound inspection near Fort Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon.
The Fort Lauderdale Marine Unit, Miami Marine Unit and Miami Air and Marine Branch Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft crew stopped the vessel headed for the Bahamas and coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) during the vessel inspection.
A K-9 alerted to the center console during a search of the vessel. Agents discovered the currency in the lining of a cooler and laundry detergent boxes.
“Air and Marine Operations works closely with law enforcement partners to provide unparalleled domain awareness in the air and maritime environments,” said Tony Arevalo, Director, Air and Marine Operation, Miami Air and Marine Branch. “Nefarious actors often seek to conceal and move currency from their activities.”
Air and Marine Operations safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond.
With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation’s interior.
In fiscal year 2020, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the seizure or disruption of 194,220 pounds of cocaine, 278,492 pounds of marijuana,15,985 pounds of methamphetamine, 952 weapons and $51.5 million, 1,066 arrests, 47,872 apprehensions of illegal aliens.
