A 48-year-old Cuban passenger was detained this weekend at Tocumen International Airport in Panama after customs inspectors unearthed $135,300 hidden within double compartments of two backpacks.
The traveler, who was flying from Havana and also carried an Ecuadorian passport, initially declared carrying only $5,000, according to information shared by the customs authorities on their Facebook page.
The discovery happened in Terminal 2 when the passenger's nervous demeanor and the unusual weight of the luggage raised suspicions. As reported by Panamanian outlets such as Mi Diario and Radio Panamá, the backpacks went through the scanner revealing an irregular image typical of dense materials. Upon opening, officials found concealed compartments filled with neatly stacked bundles of cash.
The money was seized immediately, and the matter was handed over to the Public Ministry, as dictated by Panamanian law. The National Customs Authority emphasized that anyone entering the country with more than 10,000 balboas—or its equivalent in U.S. dollars—must declare it, regardless of its origin or intended use.
Rising Incidents of Cash Smuggling from Cuba
This incident is not isolated. Panama has reported several similar cases involving travelers from Cuba this year alone.
In June, a Cuban woman was caught with $10,406 undeclared at the Panama Pacifico airport after repeatedly changing her story during inspection.
In August, a 26-year-old man was apprehended at the same airport with $12,000 hidden, also arriving from Havana. Then, in September, another Cuban traveler attempted to enter the country with over $15,000 concealed in a planner.
Panamanian authorities have raised alarms about the irregular influx of cash from the island amid a regional context of increasing controls to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.
Customs officials stress that failing to declare large sums of money can result not only in confiscation but also in lengthy and costly legal proceedings.
Understanding Panama's Customs Regulations
What happens if you don't declare large amounts of cash in Panama?
Failing to declare large amounts of cash can lead to immediate seizure of the funds and potentially lengthy and costly legal proceedings.
Why are there increasing controls on cash entering Panama?
Panama has heightened controls to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes, especially amid rising incidents of cash smuggling from regions like Cuba.