On January 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Baltimore seized a significant sum of unreported cash—$70,737—from the captain of the bulk freighter M/V Sheng Ning Hai. The vessel, operated by COSCO Shipping Lines, was undergoing a routine port inspection when the incident occurred. It is a requirement for captains to declare any cash they have onboard, yet this captain failed to disclose the money.
Previous records reveal that during an earlier stop in Searsport, Maine, the captain had declared $34,480 using a FinCEN 105 form. However, after receiving an additional $40,000 from his vessel agent, he neglected to report this new amount in Baltimore or update his FinCEN filing. A subsequent search by CBP officials led to the discovery of all the cash secured in the purser’s safe.
While the money was confiscated due to a breach of reporting regulations, the ship was allowed to continue its voyage. CBP underscored the importance of compliance with U.S. laws for captains entering American ports, noting that this captain had previously navigated U.S. waters according to FinCEN requirements. The agency also reported seizing an average of $152,418 daily related to undeclared cash nationwide, reinforcing its commitment to preventing threats to public safety and economic stability.
