Border officers at the Calgary International Airport seized more than $38,000 in $20 bills from a man who was headed to the Middle East.
The Canada Border Services Agency said the money was seized on Jan. 15 under the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act.
The man had declared that he was travelling with $9,000 and was referred for a “more in-depth examination,” the CBSA said in a news release Tuesday.
Officers discovered $18,060 in the man’s jacket and carry-on luggage, as well as $20,000 in his checked luggage -- all in $20 bills.
“The man had a low level of income in comparison to the large sum of cash in his possession, and was unable to demonstrate to officers that he had legitimately obtained the money,” the CBSA said.
The agency did not identify the traveller or reveal his specific destination in the Middle East. The man has not been charged with a crime and he’s not under arrest. The investigation is ongoing and police will decide whether any charges will be laid.
“The CBSA not only stops dangerous goods from entering Canada, but also prevents funds from leaving to potentially support illegal activities overseas,” Nina Patel, the director of the CBSA’s Prairie Region, said in a statement.
"The number of these seizures in Calgary is a direct result of our officers’ diligence in protecting national security.”
