P440-M na tinangkang ipuslit, nasabat sa Mactan-Cebu Airport; 9 foreigner at 2 pinoy, huli

- Around P440 million in undeclared cash was seized by authorities at the Mactan-Cebu Airport

- Eleven individuals comprised of nine foreigners and two Filipinos were arrested in the operation

- The massive amount of currency was found in seven bags weighing 70 kilograms each

- The unusual weight of the bags raised suspicion during security screening, leading to the seizure of the cache

Law enforcement authorities at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) intercepted a substantial amount of undeclared currency on Friday, May 9, leading to the arrest of eleven individuals – nine foreign nationals and two Filipinos.

The operation, conducted by airport security personnel and the Philippine National Police’s Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP), foiled an attempt to transport a significant sum of cash without proper declaration, raising concerns about potential illicit activities.

During routine security screenings at the airport, authorities discovered the large amount of cash concealed within seven bags belonging to the group of eleven passengers who were reportedly bound for Manila.

The sheer volume of the currency was evident in the weight of the bags, each tipping the scales at approximately 70 kilograms.

This unusual weight prompted further inspection, revealing the undeclared funds.

The arrested individuals included six Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one citizen of Kazakhstan, along with two Filipino nationals.

Following the discovery, the passengers and the bags containing the cash were immediately turned over to the custody of the PNP-AVSEGROUP for further investigation and processing.

While the initial reports did not specify the exact total amount of the intercepted currency, subsequent information from other sources indicates that the sum is substantial, reaching approximately P440 million.

This significant amount of undeclared cash has triggered an intensive inquiry to determine its origin, intended use, and whether it is linked to any illegal operations, such as money laundering or other financial crimes.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has established clear regulations regarding the cross-border transportation of currency.

Under these foreign exchange rules, individuals are permitted to carry up to P50,000 in Philippine currency or the equivalent of US$10,000 in foreign currency without the need for a formal declaration.

Passengers carrying amounts exceeding the US$10,000 threshold are legally obligated to declare the excess funds to customs officials upon arrival or departure.

The failure to declare such large sums of money raises red flags and necessitates thorough scrutiny by law enforcement agencies.

The apprehension of this group at MCIA underscores the vigilance of airport security and the commitment of law enforcement to enforce the country’s financial regulations.

The investigation is still in its early stages, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities delve deeper into the matter.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable to just about simply everyone.

The four-year-old who died in the NAIA tragedy recently has been laid to rest. The child's mother, who is unable to walk, insisted on seeing her child for the last time. The NAIA tragedy that shocked the public occurred on May 4, claiming the lives of two people while several others were injured. The father of the deceased child, whom he had only brought to NAIA with the mother and other relatives, expressed his feelings.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh