Federal officials have begun investigating the long-ignored shipping of at least $700 million in U.S. cash by Somali travelers in air travel luggage out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
Witnesses say the cash was legally flown out to Somalia, other African countries, and destinations in the Middle East. According to the reports, bundles of cash — often $1 million or more per bag — were packed in passenger luggage and shown to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials by migrants returning to airports in Somalia and other regions.
TSA agents reportedly flagged the large amounts of money to their superiors, but officials in the Biden administration did not investigate these massive cash transfers during his term.
Arizona Republican Rep. Eli Crane expressed alarm at the reports and said Congress must investigate the millions of dollars allegedly being transported in baggage bound for Africa and the Middle East. Crane replied to a Libs of TikTok post highlighting TSA warnings that bags full of cash were being checked in by Somali travelers from Minnesota.
Crane also recently questioned several Minnesota officials about reports that millions of U.S. dollars were being funneled by Somali migrants in Minnesota to the African terror group Al Shabab.
According to Just the News, luggage full of U.S. currency began appearing at U.S. airports after Democrat Tim Walz was elected governor of Minnesota in 2018.
Minneapolis travelers alone had $342.37 million in their luggage in 2024 and $349.4 million in 2025, and the totals nationwide are likely to be much higher, the outlet reported.
Despite TSA agents routinely flagging the large amounts of cash, the Biden administration made no moves to investigate the shipments.
A whistleblower who is a former TSA agent also reported seeing dozens of suitcases stuffed with U.S. dollars being sent through Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.
“I saw suitcases filled with millions of dollars of cash and the couriers were always Somali men traveling in pairs and they got through the checkpoint. And it just — it just really absolutely blew my mind,” she said.
