US Customs Seize $20m of Undeclared Jewelry
November 25, 20
(IDEX Online) - Customs officers seized more than $20m of designer jewelry being smuggled through one of the busiest border points between Canada and the USA.
It was undeclared and unmanifested, said US Customs and Border Protection officers based at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel.
The jewelry, valued at $20.7m, was destined for a New York auction house, where it was to be appraised and eventually sold on behalf of the owner, a Canadian citizen.
The stash was discovered last week after an investigation revealed a courier service had been hired to transport the package to a Detroit-based contact, who was to then make final delivery.
The driver of the vehicle claimed no knowledge of the contents of the package, and was returned to Canada.
"For the traveling public, this example underscores the importance of knowing what is in their possession when attempting to make entry into the United States, and declaring it accordingly," said port director Devin Chamberlain.
Pic courtesy Customs and Border Protection shows some of the seized jewelry