At a hearing of the Commission for Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight of Minnesota, State Representative Kristin Robbins stated that Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport alone recorded:
- $343 million in cash leaving in 2024
- $350 million in 2025
This figure is higher than any other airport in the U.S., including major hubs like JFK or LAX.
Robbins emphasized that this phenomenon has existed for decades, yet effective state and federal control measures remain lacking.
Democrats also expressed suspicion over the scale of the cash flow. Representative Steve Elkins said it was “unbelievable” that hundreds of millions in cash could leave the airport undetected, especially as officials are questioning allegations of billions of dollars in federal fraud in the state.
He questioned the role of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in monitoring these flows.
However, it was explained at the hearing that carrying cash abroad is not illegal if properly declared when the amount exceeds $10,000.
A former TSA employee, speaking anonymously, suggested the current figures might be lower than reality:
“We never counted it all. What you see is just the tip of the iceberg. Billions of dollars could have passed through this airport.”
Robbins argued that Minnesota is becoming an “outlier” regarding cash flows, linking the issue to fraud in public programs within the state.
Independent investigators and federal agencies estimate total losses from fraud schemes in Minnesota could range from $9 billion to $20 billion.
This development comes as Vice President JD Vance recently announced a national campaign to crack down on complex financial fraud.
Lawmakers are calling for tighter regulations at both state and federal levels to control large cash flows and increased oversight to prevent activities suspected of being linked to fraud.
