JOLIET – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted a package Monday at the Chicago International Mail Facility coming from the Ukraine with over a million dollars in fake cash inside.
The officers found a total of $1,395,700 in counterfeit cash Monday night, reporting most of the 13,957 bills seized had been $100 bills.
The Joliet based business the cash was headed to was not released. No charges were announced in the release.
“This is just one of many examples of CBP’s success in protecting the worldwide integrity of U.S. currency,” said Shane Campbell, Port Director-Chicago said in a statement. “CBP continues to adapt its strategies to combat trends in counterfeiting and smuggling to protect the American public from these illegal importations.”
The counterfeits headed to Joliet were listed as prop money, though it is a violation of federal law to reproduce currency.
According to the Secret Service, special agents and investigative analysts from around the country continue to work closely with state and local law enforcement partners to minimize risks by informing the public and apprehending those responsible for passing counterfeit currency. Both consumers and retailers can protect themselves from inadvertently receiving counterfeit currency by quickly glancing at the note.
