Customs Crackdown Nets $5.5 Million

Customs agents have seized more than $5.5 million in cash, travelers checks and money orders that people tried to smuggle out of the country in unlikely hiding places--including TV sets and shoe soles, the Customs Service announced. “Operation Pressure Point” led to the arrest of 30 people for smuggling currency, 163 currency seizures and 62 arrests for other violations, the agency said. Customs Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the operation was “part of our overall anti-money-laundering strategy.” Almost half of the amount seized was destined for the Dominican Republic and Mexico, officials said.