Over $1.3M of Counterfeit Currency Intercepted by CBP Officers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Chicago International Mail Facility (IMF) recently seized a package from Ukraine that contained bogus currency totaling more than $1.3 million.Money
Last night, November 16, officers at the IMF inspected a parcel that was coming from Ukraine and heading to Joliet. The officers inspected the shipment to determine the admissibility of the parcel and contents. The shipment was manifested as prop money and totaled $1,395,700.
Each of the 13,957 counterfeit bills were $100 denominations. Even though these counterfeits were listed as prop money, it is a violation of federal law to reproduce currency. Violators can be arrested. The counterfeit currency was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Secret Service for investigation.
“This is just one of many examples of CBP’s success in protecting the worldwide integrity of U.S. currency,” said Shane Campbell, Port Director-Chicago. “CBP continues to adapt its strategies to combat trends in counterfeiting and smuggling to protect the American public from these illegal importations.”
According to the Secret Service, special agents and investigative analysts from around the country continue to work closely with state and local law enforcement partners to minimize risks by informing the public and apprehending those responsible for passing counterfeit currency. Both consumers and retailers can protect themselves from inadvertently receiving counterfeit currency by quickly glancing at the note.
