CBP Officers, Border Patrol Agents Seize $50,000 in Undeclared Currency, Two Handguns, 129 Bullets in Outbound Seizures at Laredo Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 7, 2009, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents conducting outbound operations this week seized $50,000 in undeclared currency, two handguns, four gun magazines and 129 rounds of ammunition in two separate seizures.
The currency seizure occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge. CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and Texas Department of Public Safety officers conducting outbound (southbound) inspections referred a 2004 Toyota Camry driven by Misael Renteria, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen from Chicago, Ill. for a secondary examination. The driver gave a negative declaration for currency in excess of $10,000, weapons or ammunition. During an inspection of the vehicle, a non-intrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies within the rocker panel area. A CBP currency canine alerted to the odor of currency emanating from the vehicle. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the rocker panel and found bundles of currency hidden inside. CBP officers seized $50,000 in undeclared U.S. currency. Additional queries revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen. CBP officers arrested Renteria and turned him over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who processed him on federal bulk cash smuggling charges. Texas DPS officers seized the vehicle. A 17-year-old vehicle passenger was turned over to a local social services agency and two puppies in the vehicle were turned over to a local animal shelter.
The weapons seizure also occurred on Aug. 5, 2009 at the same bridge. CBP officers conducting outbound examinations referred a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup driven by Rudy Renteria, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen from Chicago, Ill. for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers noted discrepancies in the center console area. CBP Canine “Arras” also alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination and discovered bundles containing a 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun, a .380-caliber Pietro Baretta handgun, four gun magazines and a total of 129 rounds of 9mm and .380-caliber ammunition. CBP officers arrested Renteria and vehicle passenger Leonardo Cartagena Colon, a 28-year-old Mexican citizen from Chicago and turned them over to ICE special agents who processed the pair on federal charges for exportation of items on the U.S. munitions list.
“Our CBP officers working together with Border Patrol agents, Texas DPS officers and Laredo police officers in the outbound environment utilized their inspections and law enforcement experience, canines and high tech tools to zero in on a substantial amount of currency and weapons that were well hidden within these two vehicles,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo.
Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U. S. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
