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One of them said he was carrying $100 before changing his statement to reveal he had $9,000 when he was questioned further, outlets reported. USA TODAY

Four American Airlines flight attendants were arrested at Miami International Airport on Monday on money laundering charges, according to CNN and CBS Miami.

The outlets report the employees in question were carrying more than $22,000 in cash without the proper license after arriving on an incoming flight from Chile when they were stopped by customs and border patrol agents.

One American Airlines employee told a customs and border patrol agent he was carrying $100 before changing his statement to reveal he had $9,000 when he was questioned further, according to the outlets. 

The agent alerted other officials who found more flight attendants from the same plane carrying large amounts of money with them.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami International Airport for comment.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Wednesday by American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein, the airline confirmed an investigation but did not provide details. 

"We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with law enforcement throughout their investigation," the statement read.

Chile saw protests break out this weekend over economic inequality. The protests continued into the week despite President Sebastián Piñera canceling a subway fare hike that prompted the violent demonstrations.

Recent unrest in the country has caused the Chilean peso to decrease in value, according to global financial portal Investing.com.

Authorities said 10,500 soldiers and police officers were patrolling the streets in Santiago, the country's capital, as state of emergency and curfew remained in effect for six Chilean cities.

According to The Associated Press, Piñera announced a program Tuesday calling for modest boosts to the lowest incomes and increased taxes on the wealthiest as he attempted to calm protesters.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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