Upon their arrival at Tocumen International Airport in Panama, two women traveling from Havana were detained with a total of $50,000 in undeclared cash.
Despite initially stating they carried no more than $10,000 each, a body search by Panamanian Customs officers revealed that each woman was concealing $25,000. The women, aged 25 and 58, claimed not to know each other despite being on the same flight with the same destination.
Following their detention by the National Customs Authority inspectors, the women were handed over to the Public Ministry for further investigation.
This incident is part of a larger trend. Panama has documented several similar occurrences involving travelers from Cuba just this year alone.
Last weekend at the same airport, a 48-year-old Cuban man was detained after customs inspectors discovered $135,300 hidden in secret compartments within two backpacks. Despite traveling from Havana with an Ecuadorian passport, he had declared only $5,000 initially.
In June, a Cuban woman was caught with $10,406 undisclosed at Panama Pacifico Airport after changing her story multiple times during a customs check.
In August, a 26-year-old man was apprehended at the same airport with $12,000 hidden on him, also arriving from Havana. In September, another Cuban traveler attempted to enter the country with over $15,000 concealed in a planner.
Panamanian authorities have raised concerns about these incidents, emphasizing the heightened vigilance against the illegal flow of cash from Cuba in the context of regional efforts to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.
Panama and Undeclared Cash from Cuba: Key Questions
Why were the Cuban women detained in Panama?
They were detained for attempting to enter the country with $50,000 in undeclared cash, which was discovered during a body search by customs officers.
What actions did Panamanian authorities take following the detention?
The women were handed over to the Public Ministry for further investigation into the incident.
Have there been similar incidents involving Cuban travelers?
Yes, Panama has reported several similar incidents this year, including travelers carrying large amounts of undeclared cash from Cuba.