NAIA Customs releases play money ‘smuggler’

There’s no law against carrying play money.

A day after airport Customs agents arrested an American national for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country some $10 billion in fake federal reserve notes, they had to release him after finding out that what they seized were wads of harmless play money.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Customs District Collector Celso Templo ordered the release of Oded Avel, a resident of Los Angeles, California.

Templo said he is free to travel. Avel was originally from Israel.

In a telephone interview, Templo said that since the notes confiscated from Avel had "This Note is Not Legal Tender" printed on the front and back, they had to release him and not file charges since there was no violation committed.

"There was no warrant of seizure issued against the items. These are only pieces of scrap paper. They cannot be seized," Templo said.

Templo said that the items thought to be fake federal reserve notes turned out to be "xerox copies of non-negotiable bills" similar to that of play money.
NAIA-Customs police chief Col. Esmeralda Saplala said if the items had been fake federal reserve notes, they could have charged Avel, as stated in a report she distributed to media last Thursday.

Saplala said they returned Avel’s plane ticket and passport, allowing the American freedom to travel again. The play money was also returned.

Last Thursday, Customs officials opened the items inside the metal case which contained the notes before media men.