This guy was acting erratically and one would assume that if he had declared the cash, they would have no grounds to accost him...the fact that he "walked away" from the money says something ain't right.
We get pissed because the FBI has info they never act on that could stop many in-house terror attacks and then get upset when a "regular citizen" is looked at for suspicious actions.
I'm generally pro-cop and like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I also recognize there are too many bad cops that have a "I can hurt, or even kill them with impunity" mentality and those I readily condemn.
We on't even know the man's nationality/status from the story...he was questioned and not detained or arrested...I will assume he knew he could/would be arrested with cause if he had done what I would have done if it was my money and stuck around to retain ownership of it.
Correct. However, this man was not leaving the country. If he had been they could have arrested him for not declaring and everything would have been fine and dandy.
But since they did not he was doing something perfectly legal which is travel inside the country with large amounts of cash. It may not be the smartest thing but it is 100% legal.
You point about how we do not know the nationality of the person is taken but not perhaps in the way that you might think. While you and I would have kicked up a fuss that would have registered at least a six on the Richter Scale if you are from someplace like Venezuela you might have reflexively done what you do there when the police take your stuff. Walk away grateful that you still have your life.