US agents in San Juan nab US$500,000+ headed to Dominican Rep.

San Juan, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP) officers stopped an illegal exportation of currency when officerssearched a cargo container intended to be shipped to the Dominican Republic onboard the Caribbean Fantasy Ferry this past week.

Utilizing high-tech equipment, CBP officers examiningoutbound containers being loaded to the Caribbean Ferry selected some forfurther inspection. During theadditional inspection, officers discovered $518,980 USD, intended to besmuggled out of the United States.

“Customs and Border Protection remains committed tostrengthening our borders." said Keith McFarquhar, acting San Juan AreaPort Director. "The currency seized is not only money lost byorganizations that finance drug trafficking and other illegal activity. It iscurrency that could also supply the weapons and the means for theseorganizations to disrupt governments and pose threats to our nation.”

CBP officers seized the hidden contraband. U.S. Immigrationand Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations special agentswill continue the investigation. Localand federal law enforcement authorities in Puerto Rico will continue to worktogether to disrupt criminal activity in the island.