In a coordinated anti-smuggling operation at one of the Dominican Republic’s busiest international air hubs, law enforcement agencies have seized more than $600,000 in undeclared currency from an incoming outbound passenger.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Dominican General Directorate of Customs (DGA), Specialized Airport and Civil Aviation Security Corps (CESAC), and the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s specialized anti-smuggling and illicit trafficking unit at Las Américas International Airport (AILA), based on pre-developed intelligence leads.
During a routine security check before boarding, authorities discovered the hidden undeclared funds: a Colombian passenger bound for Panama was carrying $599,700 in his carry-on baggage, an additional $1,000 stashed in his clothing pockets, and 647,000 Colombian pesos. All of the currency failed to meet Dominican legal requirements for cross-border cash declarations, leading to an immediate seizure of all undisclosed funds.
The passenger, whose personal details have not been released to the public pending ongoing investigations, has been formally transferred to the custody of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to face full legal proceedings related to the undeclared cash attempt.
DGA Director General Nelson Arroyo emphasized that the interception is part of the institution’s sustained commitment to cracking down on cross-border illicit financial activity. Arroyo confirmed that DGA will continue to maintain round-the-clock, enhanced surveillance at all of the country’s entry and exit points — including seaports and airports — to disrupt smuggling networks, curb illicit trafficking of all types, and enforce the nation’s customs regulations consistently.