CBP Seizes $305,967 in Undeclared Currency at Laredo Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 22, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
LAREDO, TEXAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry this weekend seized $305,967 in undeclared currency during a routine outbound examination. The currency seizure occurred on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at Lincoln-Juarez Bridge . CBP officers and agents conducting outbound examinations referred a 2006 Acura TL driven by a 19-year-old U.S. citizen from Laredo , Texas for a secondary examination. CBP officers conducted an intensive examination of the vehicle and discovered 41 bundles hidden within the vehicle containing a total of $305,967 in undeclared currency.
CBP officers seized the currency and turned the driver over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.
“This is a significant seizure and it underscores the importance of outbound enforcement operations in interdicting large quantities of undeclared currency,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Port Director, Laredo . “Seizures such as these help keep our borders safe and secure.”
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.
