3 ms·

$35 bn in a suitcase would be impressive.

• pjc50 9y ago
  You'd need a fleet of planes. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/08/usa.iraq1 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/08/usa.iraq1 "US flew nearly $12bn in shrink-wrapped $100 bills into Iraq ... nearly 281 million notes, weighing 363 tonnes". "retired Admiral David Oliver, is even more direct. The memorandum quotes an interview with the BBC World Service. Asked what had happened to the $8.8bn he replied: "I have no idea. I can't tell you whether or not the money went to the right things or didn't - nor do I actually think it's important."
  • Symbiote 9y ago
    In €500 notes, $35bn would be a little over 61 tonnes. "A million euros worth of 500-euro notes weigh just 2.2 kilograms (4.85 pounds) and pack easily into a laptop bag, while the same sum transported in 50-euro denomination comes up to 22 kilos and requires the usage of a large sports bag." [1] [1] https://luxtimes.lu/archives/6700-goodbye-to-the-500-euro-note https://luxtimes.lu/archives/6700-goodbye-to-the-500-euro-no...
  • crowbahr 9y ago
    > I have no idea. I can't tell you whether or not the money went to the right things or didn't - nor do I actually think it's important." Well that was in 2007. When did ISIS start showing up again? How were they funded? Maybe the USA should be more conscious of where billions of dollars are disappearing to...
• npongratz 9y ago
  It was easier in the days of bearer bonds (especially fake ones!): https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/business/global/26fake.html https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/business/global/26fake.ht...
• garmaine 9y ago
  That would be 3.5 metric tons of $100 bills. I’m not sure if that is more or less than I was expecting.