National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center identifies, investigates and disrupts bulk cash smuggling activities around the world. The center is located at the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center in Williston, Vt. It operates 24 hours a day.
More stringent federal laws against money laundering, along with anti-money laundering measures adopted by traditional financial institutions, have forced criminal organizations to shift the movement of their illicit proceeds outside of the established financial industry. To avoid the scrutiny of law enforcement, these criminal organizations increasingly employ non-traditional methods to move funds, including the smuggling of bulk cash into, out of and through the United States.
The center assists federal, state, tribal, local and foreign law enforcement authorities in their efforts to restrict the flow of funding that supports criminal enterprises. It provides real-time tactical intelligence, investigative support and expertise in the transportation and smuggling of bulk cash. By contacting the National Bulk Cash Smuggling Center, law enforcement officers gain access to financial investigative expertise that will help them better follow the money trail, seize and forfeit criminal proceeds.
The PATRIOT Act, enacted in 2001, criminalized the international smuggling of bulk cash. From fiscal years 2003 through 2009, HSI bulk cash smuggling investigations led to the arrest of more than 1,100 individuals and seizures of more than $410 million.
In fiscal year 2010 alone, HSI special agents arrested 203 individuals and seized more than $101 million.
The center provides more than expertise and support. Qualified law enforcement agencies may participate in equitable sharing arrangements from assets seized during bulk cash smuggling investigations. Those agencies will have access to investigative and forensic resources that may not be otherwise available.
If you have information that an individual, business or organization is engaged in the illicit transportation or smuggling of currency or monetary instruments, please complete the center's form or call the HSI Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
Recent News
2/13/2013 Los Angeles, CA 3 Los Angeles-area residents indicted in large-scale phony credit card scheme
2/11/2013 Las Vegas, NV Wife of senator in the Philippines sentenced for bulk cash smuggling
2/7/2013 Denver, CO Boulder, Colo., man arrested on drug-related money laundering charges
2/5/2013 Fresno, CA San Jose owners of online clothing business arrested on multiple fraud and money laundering charges
2/4/2013 Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania accountant pleads guilty to alien harboring conspiracy, violating federal tax laws
2/1/2013 Baltimore, MD Maryland resident pleads guilty in credit card fraud scheme involving more than 50 victims
