I Just came across this article.
http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/im-an-expert-traveler-but-i-accidentally-broke-this-one-rule-and-almost-went-to-jail-dont-let
Basically, tourist leaving Cuba with 800 CUCs ($800) is detained and all the money taken off her before she can board.
The CUC is a closed currency, it cannot exchanged anywhere in the world other than Cuba (and maybe unofficially in parts of Miami)
and there is a law in Cuba that travelers cannot leave with any Cucs, but has this ever happened to anyone?
I've been in an out about 12 times and never had my wallet searched, I usually leave with about 100 CUCs (for the airport, or for the next trip's taxi from the airport, bottle of rum etc.)
I know people who regularly leave with 300-500 Cucs because they don't like waiting at the airport exchange office (I've had to wait up 45 mins) thus have their first night's expenses with them.
But is searching wallets becoming "a thing", I mean more common?
Is it possible that this is a new form of income for airport security staff?
I'm not particularly worried as I don't take out that much but this might be worth consideration, especially for travelers to the US.