Related videos:
The Cuban Customs intercepted 24,150 euros hidden in the double bottom and sides of a passenger's luggage destined for Europe at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, as reported yesterday by the first deputy chief of the institution, Wiliam Pérez González, through his account on X.
The official, a regular spokesperson for customs operations, published photographs of evidence showing bundles of 50 euro bills inside travel bags and on an official tray marked with the stamp "ADUANA CUBA CUSTOMS".
According to the statement, "the imposed administrative measures are in effect, and a report has been filed with the police, where investigations are ongoing."
The detected amount exceeds the legal limit by more than four times: the current Cuban regulations stipulate that individuals can only export up to $5,000 or its equivalent in freely convertible currencies without prior authorization from the President of the Central Bank of Cuba.
This case adds to a series of similar seizures recorded at the same airport in recent months.
In April 2025, Customs intercepted 26,000 euros hidden in a double-bottom sealed with nylon at the capital's airport, and that same month seized more than 16,000 Canadian dollars and euros hidden in the tubes of a suitcase.
In September 2025, agents discovered over 23,000 dollars hidden in wet wipes, the double bottom of a backpack, and the belt of a traveler.
In March 2025, Customs also frustrated the attempt to smuggle two kilograms of gold bars hidden in a double bottom of luggage at the same airport.
The concealment methods detected by customs authorities include double bottoms sealed with nylon, suitcase sides, internal luggage tubes, packages of wet wipes, diapers, and belts.
The recurring pattern reflects a widespread practice of attempting to take foreign currency out of the country irregularly, in the context of a severe economic crisis and strict restrictions on access to foreign currency on the Island.
In 2022, 233 violations were recorded, resulting in seizures amounting to 5.3 million Cuban pesos and 420,000 dollars; in the first quarter of 2024, the seizures reached 3.2 million pesos and 91,000 dollars.
Investigations into the most recent case are ongoing under the jurisdiction of the Cuban police.
Filed under: