WASHINGTON: U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a man from Yakima, Washington after the discovery of more than $163,000 in unreported currency concealed within the man’s luggage as he attempted to depart the United States. CBP officers were conducting an outbound examination. They encountered a 34-year-old man, a United States Citizen from Yakima, Washington traveling in a taxi as he approached the exit lanes, heading towards Reynosa. After referring the taxi passenger for further inspection, officers discovered 11 packages concealed in his luggage containing a total of $163,130 in unreported currency.
CBP OFO seized the currency and arrested the man, who was turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for further investigation. Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S., however, if the quantity is more than $10,000, they will need to report it to CBP. “Money” means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, travelers’ checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.
