Over the weekend, Cuban customs authorities confiscated more than 16,000 Canadian dollars and euros at Havana’s José Martí International Airport. The announcement came from officials of the Cuban regime. Wiliam Pérez González, the deputy head of Customs, disclosed on the social media platform X that the money was cleverly stashed within the tubes forming the suitcase’s frame. This method was used to avoid declaring the funds when exiting the country.
“Always on high ALERT! Cuba Customs discovers 16,000 Canadian USD and EUROS hidden in luggage tubes, intended for illegal extraction through Havana airport,” Pérez shared in his post. He further explained that this seizure is part of an “intensified” operation targeting illegal activities.
In Cuba, any individual carrying more than $5,000 USD or its equivalent in other currencies must declare the amount to Customs. Failure to do so could result in the confiscation of the money by the regime. Just last year, in the first quarter of 2024, Cuban Customs seized 3.2 million Cuban pesos and $91,000 USD.
Nelson Cordovés Reyes, the head of Cuba’s Customs, admitted that this type of activity has been on the rise. Earlier this month, a similar attempt to smuggle 26,000 euros out of the country was thwarted at José Martí International Airport. The funds were concealed in a suitcase’s false bottom and sealed with nylon.
In recent months, the Cuban regime has showcased on social media its intensified customs controls, which have helped uncover drugs and even gold bars at airports. In another incident at the Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Varadero, customs seized $30,000 in fake currency labeled “For Motion Pictures Purposes.”
Understanding Cuba’s Customs and Currency Regulations
What happens if you don’t declare over $5,000 USD when leaving Cuba?
Failure to declare amounts over $5,000 USD or its equivalent in other currencies can lead to the confiscation of the money by Cuban authorities.
How have Cuban customs operations changed recently?
Cuban customs have increased their vigilance and controls at airports, leading to more frequent detections of illegal activities, including drug trafficking and smuggling of gold bars.
What was unique about the currency seized in Varadero?
The currency seized in Varadero was fake and intended for film production, marked as “For Motion Pictures Purposes.”
