ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands � U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents, seized Tuesday $372,000 in undeclared currency found inside a duffle bag on the beach near a vessel found in Bordeaux Bay.

�Transnational criminal organizations seek to conceal and move currency from their activities,� stated Johnny Morales, Director, Air and Marine Operations for the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. �Our agents continue to use advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities to detect and interdict them throughout our coastal borders.�

On July 9, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Marine Interdiction agents (MIAs) received a call a concerned citizen about a suspicious boat, making landfall in Bordeaux Bay, St. Thomas. The caller stated that three men were onboard and intentionally beached a 20ft Boston Whaler.

The MIAs responded by vehicle to the area and noticed a single duffel bag still sitting in the sand near the boat with a Puerto Rico registration. Agents conducted a sweep of the area but were unable to locate any of the suspects.

Inside the duffel bag, agents found an undetermined amount of cash in vacuum-sealed packages. The undeclared currency totaled $372,000. U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assumed custody of the seized currency and investigation.

On July 7, AMO seized $3.7 million in undeclared currency found inside five duffle bags on board an abandoned vessel near the coast of Fajardo.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)