WASHIGTON: From U.S. Customs and Border Protection – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently seized a significant amount of alleged heroin, crystal methamphetamine and unreported currency in three separate enforcement actions.
“The primary officers’ experience, and interviewing technique was a key component in these significant narcotics and currency interceptions,” said Deputy Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “I commend the officers for their keen observational skills and interviewing techniques which played a key role in the discoveries.”
The first incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge, where CBP officers working outbound operations referred three male commercial bus passengers, including two male United States citizens, ages 23 and 26 from Chicago, Illinois and a male 27-year-old Mexican citizen from Guadalajara, Jalisco for a secondary examination. Upon inspection of their personal belongings, CBP officers discovered 30 packages containing a total of $148,136 in unreported currency.
The second incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 53-year-old-male Mexican citizen from Georgia driving a 2007 Chevrolet Impala for a secondary inspection. Upon a canine and non-intrusive inspection of the vehicle, a total of six packages were discovered allegedly containing 7.49 pounds of heroin with a street value of $204,000.
The third incident occurred on Monday, November 14, at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 44-year-old male Mexican citizen from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon driving a 2005
Nissan Altima for a secondary inspection. A canine and physical inspection of the vehicle by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of 68.03 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $1,360,679.
CBP officers seized narcotics and currency. All five men were arrested and their cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special 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.
