Man Had $75,000 In His Carry-On Bag

A man carrying $75,000 in a bag through the Richmond, VA airport had the money confiscated after TSA took a look in the bag. The security agency did not take the money; it was reportedly confiscated by the DEA.

The person, who was not named, was not issued a citation of any kind, nor was it reported whether he raised any protest about such a large sum of money being confiscated. The Washington Post reports he was allowed to proceed through the checkpoint ... albeit a great deal poorer for the experience.

A photograph of the bag was posted by a TSA agent on Twitter (shown), with the caption "If you had $75,000, is this how you'd transport it? Just asking! TSA @ #RIC spotted this traveler's preferred method." ... raising questions about a violation of privacy for the person involved. TSA also acknowledges that it is not illegal to transport large sums of cash in your personal possession on an airplane. In 2009, the TSA said in a blog post:

"Sometimes a TSA officer may ask a passenger who is carrying a large sum of cash to account for the money. You have asked why such a question is posed and whether a passenger is required to answer.

"In reacting to potential security problems or signs of criminal activity, TSA officers are trained to ask questions and assess passenger reactions, including whether a passenger appears to be cooperative and forthcoming in responding.

"TSA officers routinely come across evidence of criminal activity at the airport checkpoint. Examples include evidence of illegal drug trafficking, money laundering, and violations of currency reporting requirements prior to international trips.

"When presented with a passenger carrying a large sum of money through the screening checkpoint, the TSA officer will frequently engage in dialog with the passenger to determine whether a referral to law-enforcement authorities is warranted.

"The TSA officer may consider all circumstances in making the assessment, including the behavior and credibility of the passenger. Thus, a failure to be forthcoming may inform a TSA officer’s decision to call law-enforcement authorities."

While the confiscation of the money is apparently legal under laws governing civil asset forfeiture, some in Congress have called for a major overhaul of such laws, saying such seizures have become too frequent and are often inappropriate, according to the report.

(Image from Twitter)

FMI: www.tsa.gov