Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Money Cash Seizure Lawyers

Getting Your Seized Cash Back: A Guide to Fighting Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Money Seizures

Having cash seized by federal agents at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. Unfortunately, it is also quite common under civil asset forfeiture laws that allow law enforcement to seize property, including cash, that they suspect is tied to criminal activity. Even if you have done nothing wrong, navigating the complex legal system to get your money back is difficult without experienced legal help.In this article, we will walk through the key things you need to know about the MSP airport cash seizure process and how an attorney can assist you.

Reasons for Cash Seizures at MSP Airport

Law enforcement agents such as the DEA, TSA, or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may seize your cash at MSP Airport for a few common reasons:

• Suspicion of involvement in illegal drug activity
• Failure to properly declare cash when traveling internationally
• Suspicion the money will be used for terrorist activity

Often the agents seizing the cash do not even file criminal charges. The burden of proof for forfeiture is much lower than it is for a criminal conviction. This means it is crucial to have legal representation to get the seizure overturned and have your money returned.

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Legal Scenario: What Would You Do?

Scenario

You were flying out of MSP Airport with $42,000 in cash from selling your late father's car and collectibles when DEA agents stopped you at the gate and seized every dollar. They handed you a seizure notice but never charged you with any crime, and now you have no idea how to get your money back.

Can the government really keep my cash forever even though I was never arrested or charged with anything?

Attorney's Answer

No — under federal civil asset forfeiture law (18 U.S.C. § 983), the government must send you a written notice of seizure and give you the right to file a claim contesting the forfeiture within strict deadlines, typically 35 days from the date of the notice. Once you file a claim, the burden shifts to the government to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that your cash was connected to illegal activity, thanks to the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act (CAFRA) of 2000. An experienced forfeiture attorney can also file a motion under 18 U.S.C. § 983(f) for immediate release of the property if you can show the seizure causes a substantial hardship. Acting quickly is critical because missing the filing deadline can result in automatic forfeiture of your funds regardless of their legitimate origin.

This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.

Getting a Lawyer Involved Immediately

If your cash is seized at MSP Airport, it is important to contact a lawyer experienced in federal asset forfeiture cases right away. Do not delay, as there are strict deadlines for contesting a seizure. You typically have just 30 days from the date the cash was seized to file a claim with the agency demanding its return.An attorney can help you do the following:

• File a timely claim to contest the seizure
• Communicate with federal prosecutors and negotiate return of funds
• Build a defense against forfeiture by showing legitimate source of cash
• Navigate court processes if the seizure is challenged