Federal officials recently revealed that close to $700 million in cash has been detected in luggage at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport over the past two years. This significant cash outflow is reportedly associated with Somali immigrants and professional money couriers, as indicated by Homeland Security officials.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
The surge in cash movement from Minnesota’s largest airport reportedly began approximately a decade ago, coinciding with Governor Tim Walz’s administration. Recent years have seen a marked increase in the volume of cash being transported. Though the cash was legally declared under U.S. Customs regulations, its sheer quantity raised suspicions among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. There have been instances where couriers were found with amounts reaching up to $1 million in a single trip.
Currently, the outflow of funds is being examined by Homeland Security Investigations as part of a larger inquiry into a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme linked to Minnesota’s Somali community. Numerous individuals associated with this network have faced federal charges or convictions.
Investigations and Legal Challenges
In March of last year, a significant fraud case involved the Feeding Our Future organization in Minnesota, which was identified as engaged in the largest pandemic aid fraud case, reportedly involving $250 million. The majority of the cash identified in travelers’ luggage is carried by a limited number of couriers of Somali descent who frequently fly from the U.S. to Dubai, often making stops in Amsterdam. While Minneapolis serves as a primary departure point, some couriers also leave from cities like Seattle, Dallas, Columbus, and Atlanta.
In 2024 alone, travelers originating from Minneapolis were detected carrying $342.37 million, followed by $349.4 million in 2025. Given that Somalia’s GDP is approximately $11 billion, the scale of these cash movements is noteworthy.
Challenges in Enforcement
TSA agents routinely referred these cases to Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. However, there were reports of minimal follow-up during the Biden administration. Investigations into the cash flows, and the individuals involved, intensified after Donald Trump’s return to the White House. A senior official indicated that enforcement often faced challenges, as couriers typically had their paperwork in order.
Concerns about the origins and destinations of the money persist. Some officials suggest legislative changes may be necessary to effectively address and investigate these cash flows. There have been instances where inquiries into Somali-linked cash movements were met with resistance at the state level, with claims of racial bias complicating investigations.
Links to Broader Financial Patterns
The cash flows have been well-documented in counterterrorism discussions since around 2016 to 2018. There are ongoing concerns that some of these funds may be diverted to groups linked to al-Qaeda, such as Al-Shabaab or Boko Haram. Authorities report that tracking financial transactions often ceases once money reaches Dubai, and interest has reportedly waned during the Biden administration, even as cash transfers have increased.
There is also a broader context to consider, as federal investigations suggest a larger system through which billions of dollars are sent out of the United States annually by legal and illegal immigrants. Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek highlighted that more than $200 billion is sent overseas each year via remittance services, with significant amounts directed to Mexico, China, the Middle East, and various African nations. Notably, Malek cited that at least $4.4 billion in remittances to Mexico may be related to cartel money laundering.
As the situation evolves, officials at various governmental levels continue to deliberate on solutions, with some states potentially moving towards requiring remittance businesses to verify the legal residency of customers sending money abroad.