An investigation has been launched by Trinidad and Tobago authorities into the seizure of a white crocus bag containing US$2 million in cash at the South Terminal of the Piarco International Airport on June 25, 2026.The Express understands that United States law enforcement authorities have also been called in to assist with the probe.The money originated from a local banking institution in Trinidad and Tobago and was scheduled to be transported by aircraft to Miami, with a stopover in Jamaica.However, it was seized following an inspection by Customs and Excise officials, who red-flagged the transaction, citing “certain transactional and accountability deficiencies”.The Express obtained a report dated June 29, 2026, from Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago deputy general manager Dale Raymond to chairman Aaron Henry detailing what transpired.According to Raymond, the head of the Customs and Excise Division provided “certain information” on June 25, which led to a team of Customs and Excise officials, along with the deputy general manager of the Security Division, proceeding to the South Terminal of the Piarco International Airport.The team was informed by the head of the Customs and Excise Division about the impending arrival of a quantity of cash scheduled to be flown out of the country on ATLAS AIR CARGO Flight No BW790, Tail Registration N663GT, destined for Miami with a stopover in Jamaica.A team of officers from the Customs and Excise Division’s Preventative Branch was present on the airside, the report stated.It added that at around 6.30 p.m., a G4S security vehicle was observed approaching the parked aircraft and was stopped by Customs officers.The drivers identified themselves as two corporals.“During an interview they indicated that they were transporting a quantity of $US currency in the amount of two million dollars. An inspection of the said van was conducted by the Customs Preventative Team, and a white crocus bag was discovered,” stated the report.It added: “On inspection of the accompanying documents the bag originated from (bank named). The shipper of the item was SWISSPORT. The van was escorted to the SWISSPORT Bond, and the crocus bag was X-rayed, and cash was seen properly stacked in several piles. From initial inspection of the documents, certain transactional and accountability deficiencies were identified, which suggests that all protocols were not adequately adhered to.”The report stated that the bag, along with its entire contents, was secured by Customs in the bond and placed under the guard of the Airports Authority Police Department (AAPD) officers and Customs officials.“The sum of money was reportedly verified by Customs officials and totalled to be US$2 million. Customs retained possession of the currency, and the matter is still currently under investigation by Members of the Customs and Excise Department for propriety,” the report added.US$2 million lodgedwith Central BankThe Express understands that the US$2 million has since been taken to the Central Bank, where it is being held.A Central Bank official indicated that an investigation has commenced and that a meeting was held yesterday with Customs officials.The official noted that authorised dealers are permitted to ship cash under their licences and pointed out that there are arrangements whereby banks can ship mutilated notes to overseas banks and receive payment via wire transfer.The official further noted that the Central Bank and other banks also import US currency from Bank of America to replenish local stocks of US cash.However, it was pointed out that this incident is entirely different and requires much more information and explanations from the bank in question.Meanwhile, an international banking expert who did not want to be named said with respect to the practice of dealing in US dollar deposits, banks can accept US dollar deposits either in cash or via wire transfer.It was noted that the size of this deposit is highly material.The banker explained that if a sizeable US dollar cash deposit exceeding the US$10,000 threshold is made to a financial institution, it requires consideration under anti-money laundering requirements and, where appropriate, the filing of a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) if there is reason to believe there is a risk associated with the deposit.A SAR is a report submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) when there is knowledge or suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing activities.Reporting entities, such as financial institutions, are required to file these reports under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).Entities must report when they have reasonable grounds for suspicion.According to the banker, if a local bank receives a US$2 million cash deposit, this would constitute a high-risk transaction requiring enhanced scrutiny under the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime.Whether a Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) must be filed depends on whether the institution has reasonable grounds to suspect that the funds are the proceeds of crime, are linked to terrorist financing, or otherwise involve money laundering, the banker noted.With respect to the transfer of the US dollar cash outside the country, the banker said considerably more details are required before any formal conclusion or course of action can be determined.The Express contacted a representative of the bank who said the bank would issue a statement late last night.