Chicago–U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Chicago International Mail Facility (IMF) spent the weekend counting counterfeit currency from two shipments seized on Friday and Saturday that totaled $570,380.
On Friday night, October 23, CBP 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 $298,160.
On Saturday, October 24, officers seized another package from Ukraine. This time the package was headed to Staten Island, NY. The shipment was again listed prop money and totaled $272,220. Each of the counterfeit bills were $20 bills. 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.
“The importation of counterfeit currency can pose a threat not only to the United States economy, but our national security as well,” said Shane Campbell, Port Director-Chicago. “The illegal importation of this amount of counterfeit currency has the potential to be a very serious criminal act. I give the officers credit for helping to maintain the integrity of our system and protecting the citizens of the United States.”
