U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers find $900,000 in counterfeit bills coming through International Falls

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $900,000 in counterfeit $1 bills at the International Falls Port of Entry Friday. 

According to a release from CBP, the counterfeit bills were found in a commercial rail shipment that originated in China. 

A rail container was referred for a customs exam station inspection on Dec. 14, 2019, upon examination CBP discovered 45 cartons of counterfeit currency with a total face value of $900,000, according to CBP. 

"CBP officers strive every day to protect the United States from a variety of threats," said Jason Schmelz, Pembina Area Port Director. "Those threats don't always come in the form of terrorists or narcotics, but also in the form of counterfeit currency and other goods that have the potential to harm the economy of the United States. Thanks to the dedication of our officers and our partnership with the Secret Service, we were able to keep this currency from entering into circulation."