Feds Steal $27K from Traveler and Keep It Forever, Even Though No Charges Were FiledKimberly Paxton US Customs and Border Patrol confiscate money like its their job. Thats because, wellit is. You know how you hear those stories about shifty Customs agents in dark Third World airports, rifling through luggage, stealing things from innocent travelers, and setting them up for crimes? Well, as it turns out, theyve got nothing on the good old USA. Billions are generated every year as Customs taxes and/or steals from those entering the country. A couple visiting the US from Ghana had an encounter with Customs officers at thePhiladelphia International Airport that they wont soon forget. The couple failed to report the full amount of cash they were bringing into the country. Upon a search of their baggage, it was discovered that they had $27,431.30in different currencies, as opposed to $16,000 as the man had reported. Customs seized the money but was kind enough to return $500 for humanitarian purposes. That was big of them, wasnt it? CBP derives no great pleasure from seizing travelers currency. However, there are consequences for failing to comply with U.S. currency reporting laws. (source) Im sure that Draft and his friends at CPB were really broken up over the theftumconfiscation. By their own admission, Customs has a big role in strengthening the economy. On a typical day, they collect$105 million in fees, duties, andtariffs equaling over $38 billion last year. Somehow I think that tempers their regret at confiscating nearly $27,000but thats just me. Kimberly Paxton is a staff writer for The Daily Sheeple, where this first appeared. She is based out of upstate New York. You can follow Kimberly on Facebook and Twitter. 