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Cash Seizures at Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB)

What happens if you go through the TSA security checkpoint at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB), and a TSA passenger screener discovers that you are carrying a large amount of U.S. Currency?

Attorney Leslie Sammis can help you file a claim to challenge the legality of the seizure and fight to get the money back quickly. Call 813-250-0500.

The TSA screener might alert law enforcement officers with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or local officers, who might seize the money for civil asset forfeiture. The seizure requires “probable cause” that the money is subject to forfeiture based on a suspicion that it was used in drug trafficking or money laundering.

The burden for probable cause is quite low and can be based on a host of factors such as:

  • purchasing a ticket at the last minute;
  • flying to a state where marijuana is legal for recreational purposes;
  • having luggage that smells of marijuana;
  • having a large sum of money;
  • having money in small denominations;
  • having money wrapped in rubber bands instead of bank bands;
  • having a suitcase filled with filler such as sheets or towels;
  • making inconsistent statements about the reason for the trip or bringing the money; or
  • having a prior record for drug offenses.

The Orlando Melbourne International Airport is a public airport to the north of downtown Melbourne, in Brevard County, Florida. The airport is located on central Florida’s Space Coast at 1 Air Terminal Pkwy, Melbourne, FL 32901.

The names of the airports are confusing to travelers because Florida is also home to the Orlando International Airport (MCO) located at One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32827, in Orange County, FL. Additionally, Florida is home to the Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) located at 1200 Red Cleveland Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773, in Seminole County.

This article was last updated on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

 

 

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Airport Seizures of Cash

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Jason D. Sammis
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