Philadelphia Man Gets Six Months for Smuggling $62,000 in Toothpaste Boxes

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — Hugh James, 52, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to six months in prison. This week’s sentence follows his conviction for attempting to board an international flight with a large sum of undeclared cash, which had not passed through airport security. The ruling also included two years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a mandatory special assessment of $200. Moreover, James was ordered to forfeit the sum of $62,000 by United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond.

The events unfolded on October 9, 2020, when James tried to board a flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Montego Bay, Jamaica. During boarding, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers questioned him about the contents of his carry-on luggage. Initially, James denied having any cash in it. However, a search revealed a whopping $62,000 in undeclared cash, cleverly concealed in sealed toothpaste boxes containing $42,000 in $100 bills.

A subsequent investigation revealed a more sinister plot. James, who was an employee with access to secure areas of the airport, had orchestrated a plan to smuggle the cash around Transportation Security Administration screening. This blatant breach of trust and security protocols led to his guilty plea on November 16, 2023, to one count of evading airport security and one count of failure to declare currency.

The diligent work of Homeland Security Investigations led to the successful resolution of this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Brown. This case highlights the severity of penalties associated with smuggling and non-declaration of currency at airports and underscores the importance of adhering to all airport security protocols.

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