There may be some pretty upset teens after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 58 fraudulent state drivers’ licenses on Wednesday that arrived from Asia in air cargo near Washington Dulles International Airport.
The licenses, which initially arrived during April, were destined to addresses in Washington, D.C., Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and New Jersey.
The states represented include New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia. CBP verified with the states that the licenses were indeed fraudulent.
Fraudulent drivers’ licenses have been used in identity theft and immigration fraud, and most notably by underage alcohol drinkers.
“There is no valid or lawful purpose for importing fraudulent driver’s license,” said Wayne Biondi, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Washington Dulles.
“As the nation’s border security agency, Customs and Border Protection is on the front lines to intercept illicit products that violate U.S. laws and regulations at our nation’s doorstep. This is an enforcement mission that we take seriously.”
CBP officers also seized counterfeit designer handbags, purses, watches and shoes in two air cargo shipments from China, and 27 grams of coca leaves in a Colombian traveler’s baggage.
If authentic, the products had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of nearly $58,000. The traveler admitted to possessing the coca leave for medicinal purposes.
CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, currency, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items at our nation’s 328 international ports of entry.
View CBP Snapshot to learn what else CBP achieved ‘On a Typical Day’ last year.
“These interceptions are examples of the breadth of Customs and Border Protection enforcement jurisdiction, and demonstrate the extraordinary vigilance and commitment by CBP officers every day to ensure the safety and security of our nation,” said Casey Owen Durst, Director, Field Operations for the Baltimore Field Office.
Visit CBP’s Border Security webpage to learn how CBP conducts its border security mission.
Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel section to learn more about the CBP admissions process and rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
