CBP, ICE-HSI Seize $42,751 in Undeclared Currency at Laredo Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 29, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Border Patrol agents and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents conducting outbound operations at the Laredo Port of Entry on Thursday seized a significant amount of undeclared currency from a passenger in a vehicle.
The currency seizure occurred on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and ICE-HSI special agents conducting outbound (southbound) inspections referred a 2000 Chevy Tahoe carrying a 32-year-old Mexican citizen passenger from San Juan Cosala, Jalisco , Mexico with no entry documents for a secondary examination. During the examination, CBP officers discovered $42,751 in undeclared currency in his waistband and in his shoes.
CBP officers turned the man over to ICE-HSI special agents for further investigation. “The ongoing cooperation of CBP officers, Border Patrol agents and ICE-HSI special agents in enhanced outbound inspections continues to produce tangible results as evidenced by this most recent currency seizure,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “Each seizure of undeclared currency helps CBP to advance its border security mission.”
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.
