Dog Alerts Customs Officers To $43K In Hidden Money At Airport

DULLES, VA — With the help of U.S. Customs and Border Protection currency detector dog Cato, officers seized more than $43,000 Sunday at Washington Dulles International Airport from a man traveling to Belgium, according to a police release.

Cato alerted to the traveler as he was about to board a flight to Brussels. The man told CBP officers he had $15,000 in his possession. But when officers began to examine his bags, he admitted that he had $37,000. Although he reported that $37,000 on a FINCEN105 document, the officers found a total of $43,408 in U.S. currency in the man's baggage. They seized the money and let the man continue on his way.

Travelers are required to report all currency or monetary instruments over $10,000 to a CPB officer at any border crossing in the U.S. border.

“Customs and Border Protection’s canines are a vital component to our border security mission and demonstrate their exceptional skill every day to help enforce our nation’s laws and keep us safe,” said Keith Fleming, acting director of Field Operations for CBP’s Baltimore Field Office, in a release.