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A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

washingtonpost.com

1–10 of 286 posts

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#3

Need to declare that, buddy. Anything over $10k. It’s super easy for them to detect that much currency in your carryon.

Did you read the article?

Hottot said Kazazi was well aware of those requirements and planned to file his disclosure form during his four-hour layover in Newark. The form instructs travelers to file the paperwork “at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.”

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#4

Need to declare that, buddy. Anything over $10k. It’s super easy for them to detect that much currency in your carryon.

The money was seized at departure of the domestic leg of this trip, before he had an opportunity to report it at the port of departure for his international leg.

https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/fin105_cmi...

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#5

Need to declare that, buddy. Anything over $10k. It’s super easy for them to detect that much currency in your carryon.

Addressed in the article. You're supposed to declare to customs when you leave the country. He would have been leaving from Newark after a four-hour layover.

Also in the article: CBP had 90 days to respond after Kazazi decided to take the matter to federal court, but over a month after their deadline passed are still holding the money, and are refusing to comment.

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#7

Need to declare that, buddy. Anything over $10k. It’s super easy for them to detect that much currency in your carryon.

(1) He wasn't trying to hide it.

(2) It was a domestic flight; he says he was going to declare it when boarding the international flight.

This was all in the article.

At this rate the various LEAs are going to make muggers, bankers and other professional thieves jealous.

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#9
I come from a country that borders Albania... Albania has a 60% muslim population, and given our current administration and mood toward islam, it is highly doubtful they were after his money but rather after something that went off on their 'threat to national security' radar. Could be a mistaken identity too, it's not unheard of .. many names on those watch lists sound similar or are not the same person at all.

I'm betting all moneys will be returned to him when they conclude whatever investigation they need to conclude. This is just a sensationalist headline that doesn't do any service to anyone....

Edit:

Funny, people downvote as if the government has no case - they clearly sent him a notice that “Enforcement activity indicates that the currency was involved in a smuggling/drug trafficking/money laundering operation.” and “pursuant to an administrative search of Mr. Kazazi and his bags, TSA agents discovered artfully concealed U.S. currency. Mr. Kazazi provided inconsistent statements regarding the currency, had no verifiable source of income and possessed evidence of structuring activity,” that is, making cash withdrawals of less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements."

Most cash has traces of drugs on it... and serial #'s on notes are sometimes marked when drug stings are conducted.

All I'm saying is, there's two sides to the story - not just the WaPo one. I guess it's hard to depict that on HN... WaPo isn't the source of truth on this - just an opinion. Like mine. Or anyone else here.

Re: A 64-year-old put his life savings in his carry-on, and U.S. Customs took it

#10
I absolutely hate even the idea of "Civil Asset Forfeiture." It's even more of a bullshit legal construct than a non-living entity having first amendment rights. It's clearly a 4th Amendment violation and deserves to be challenged.

I'd be okay with freezing assets for up to say 3 months while formal charges are filed, but just taking them forever is fucking bullshit.

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