Thousands in counterfeit $100 bills were seized at Kennedy Airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, authorities said Tuesday.
The more than $65,000 in bogus bills were found concealed in placemats and a shoe bag sent through the mail from Ecuador, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They were seized at an express cargo facility.
“Every day [Customs and Border Protection] officers are protecting the American public from various dangers,” said Robert E. Perez, director of New York field operations for the agency. “This seizure is a testament to the dedication our Officers demonstrate daily in support of CBP’s mission.”
The investigation is ongoing.