The Revenue Service of Georgia has published a statement confirming that customs officers seized undeclared foreign currency from a Georgian citizen at the Sarpi border crossing. The agency emphasized that claims circulating on social media misrepresent the incident and public.
The Revenue Service stated that the passenger in question, identified as B.M., was stopped by a customs officer along with the vehicle under his control during routine border checks. Out of suspicion, the officer conducted an interview with the driver who initially denied carrying any goods or cash requiring declaration. The conversation was recorded on a body camera.
However, a search of the vehicle, luggage and hand baggage revealed undeclared foreign currency totaling 19,100 U.S. dollars. Based on the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Georgia, the amount equaled 51,508.88 GEL, above the mandatory declaration threshold of 30,000 GEL.
The Revenue Service pointed out that customs authorities are legally obligated to carry out full control measures at the border, including the identification and registration of persons transporting cash, foreign and national currency, checks or other securities in amounts exceeding 30,000 GEL.
Within the confines of Article 169, Part II of Georgia’s Customs Code, the undeclared cash was confiscated as a sanction against the offender.
