BlackburnNews.com file photo of Detroit Metro. (Photo courtesy Detroit Metropolitan Airport)BlackburnNews.com file photo of Detroit Metro. (Photo courtesy Detroit Metropolitan Airport)
Chatham

$4.65M In 'Hell Money' Seized In Detroit

A Vietnamese couple is in hot water after trying to import $4.65-million worth of 'hell money' at Detroit Metro Airport.

U.S. border guards say the couple was found with 32 bundles of fake Vietnamese Dong and 93 rolls of U.S. $100 bills to be used as burnt offerings for the deceased in some Asian cultures.

They were referred into secondary inspection coming off a flight from Seoul Korea on Friday.

Regardless of religion, border officials say importing counterfeit currency is against the law. All of the money has been seized.

'Hell money' is a form of joss paper printed to appear like real bank notes.

“Quality law enforcement work and solid attention to detail resulted in this seizure, and I am proud of the officers involved," says port director Devin Chamberlain.

Homeland Security and U.S. Secret Service responded and took custody of the currency.

Officials say the couple is not facing any charges.

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