>profit is not the primary motivation
900K is nothing to sneeze at. This could have been one of many batches or an initial batch. Ones are not worth making a fuss over to many store owners and lazy authorities. There are many, many easier ways to spread the virus.
>if those were $20's, would have been 20x or $18M, much moar worth smuggling effort.
They would have a 20x chance of being intercepted and caught, because of the value. Going under the radar is the best way to print money. A virus needs only a human carrier, even if they don't know they have it. Very easy to spread.
There are more ways to get rid of ones as well. Machines that make quarters, dispense food etc, parking. Corrupt businesses could wash them for a percentage etc. I would think that most counterfeiting operations start out of country and they find a criminal connection or useful business. Just look at 3rd party sellers on Amazon. It is extremely easy to wash money these days.