Photo: @extremeofficial
@ushakov343
A mountaineer that lives in New York City who claimed to have set an Everest speed record last month is facing allegations of cash smuggling on his return trip to the United States. Andrew Ushakov, who is a structural engineer, flew from New York to Nepal to tackle a sea-to-summit attempt. The journey began on May 15, 2025, and Ushakov reached the summit of Mount Everest on the morning of May 19, 2025. He was then arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport on May 25 when USD $20,000 was discovered while scanning his baggage.
The declaration threshold when leaving Nepal is set at USD $5,000 or more in cash. Badri Kumar Karki, the investigation officer and director of the Revenue Investigation Department, told The Himalayan Times “Andrew hid the cash in his luggage” when he attempted to board a Turkish Airlines flight. Once he was detained, Ushakov told officials during interrogation that he had brought the previously undeclared amount of cash with him from the United States and intended to bring it back with him.
Bail was set at $60,000 after Ushakov was charged with attempting to smuggle undeclared foreign currency. The Himalayan Times reported that Elite Expeditions, an Everest expedition agency that oversaw Ushakov’s record attempt, “intervened, seeking his swift release.”
“Andrew is now out of custody after a misunderstanding,” Ushakov’s public relations team told Reuters on May 27. “He is grateful for the support he has received and is currently working to clarify all matters with the relevant authorities.”
Both the Nepal Foreign Exchange Act, 1962, and the Customs Act, 2007 require travelers to declare foreign currency. Nepal’s Foreign Exchange Act, 1962, an individual cannot carry cash beyond the $5,000 limit without approval of the Nepal Rastra Bank. Meanwhile, the Customs Act, 2007, requires that the currency must be reported to customs or the individual faces fines, possible imprisonment, and confiscation of the money. These requirements are set in an attempt to help the Nepali government track the movement of money across its borders and deter illegal acts like money laundering.
