Customs Officers At Washington Dulles Airport Seize 4,000 Glass Bongs Valued At $56,000

DULLES, VA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $56,000 worth of glass bongs and more than $23,000 in unreported currency Monday at Washington Dulles International Airport, according to a CBP release.

Officers detained 3,738 glass bongs, which arrived in an Oct. 3 shipment from China and had been manifested as "gravity pipes." After sending documents and photos to international trade experts at CBP's Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising section, the officers received confirmation on Nov. 17. that the bongs violated U.S. laws on the importation of drug paraphernalia.

On Monday, CBP officers seized the bongs, which had an appraised value of $56,033. They were originally destined for an address in Los Angles, California.

On the same day, a married couple traveling on a Ghana-bound flight reported to CBP officers they had a combined $10,500 in their possession. Examining the couple's carry-on bag, officers found an envelope concealed inside the lining. It contained an unreported amount of cash, which brought the couple's combined currency to $23,641.

There is no limit on how much currency travelers can bring into or take out of the country; however, under U.S. law, travelers must report amounts of $10,000 or more.

The officers seized the money for violating U.S. currency reporting laws. After allowing the couple to keep $641 as a humanitarian relief, officers let them continue their journey.

“The seizures of glass bongs and unreported currency may seem innocuous at first; however, they illustrate the resolve and commitment that Customs and Border Protection officers and specialists demonstrate every day to enforce our nation’s laws, to enhance our nation’s economic vitality through lawful international trade and travel, and to help keep our citizens safe,” said Daniel Escobedo, CBP area port director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., in a release.