The National Customs Authority of Panama reported this Tuesday about a new case of transportation of undeclared money detected at the Panama Pacifico International Airport, linked to a Cuban traveler from Havana.
According to the official report, the traveler was identified as a risk profile during routine checks.
During the secondary verification, he handed over an envelope with $4,900, but the inspectors continued the review when they detected inconsistencies.
During the inspection it was found extra money hidden in your private partsraising the total amount withheld to $16,067 for failing to comply with mandatory reporting regulations.
The procedure had the participation of the National Police, and the case was sent to the Public Ministry for the corresponding investigation.
Another Cuban with hidden money just a day before
This event occurs just one day after another similar case reported by the Panamanian authority, also on a flight from the Cuban capital.
On Monday, Customs officials They withheld 135,300 dollars from a traveler of Cuban nationality with an Ecuadorian passport, after detecting an unusual weight in two backpacks.
According to SERTV Panamathe scanner revealed double funds with hidden money, so the sum was confiscated and also sent to the Public Ministry.
Customs recalled that any person who enters or leaves the country with more than 10 thousand dollars in cash is required to declare it using the Digital Traveler Affidavit.
This is a requirement whose omission may result in withholdings, investigations and administrative or criminal sanctions.
These two recent incidents are in addition to others reported in recent months.
Panama and Cuban travelers
According to The New Heraldin January the authorities detected 25 thousand dollars hidden inside a book, transported by a Cuban traveler in the Panama Pacifico terminal, the third similar case on flights from Havana only in that month.
For years, Panama was a common destination for Cubans who traveled to make purchases due to shortages on the island.
However, in 2022 the Panamanian Government imposed a transit visa for Cuban citizens, amid the increase in the migratory flow through Central America.
The authorities currently maintain reinforced controls at air terminals due to the increase in suspicious cash movements on routes from Cuba.
