LAREDO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents at the Laredo Port of Entry seized $352,220 in undeclared currency in an outbound enforcement action Thursday at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge.
“The officer’s experience, excellent primary interview and behavioral observations led to interception of this significant bulk cash smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Joseph Misenhelter, Laredo Port of Entry. “This is yet another example of the officers’ and agents’ resolute efforts to disrupt organizations or individuals involved in illicit activities.”
The interception occurred while CBP officers and Border Patrol agents conducting outbound (southbound) inspections at the international bridge randomly selected a 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor driven by a 62-year-old Mexican citizen from Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon for a secondary inspection. An intensive secondary examination of the vehicle resulted in the discovery and extraction of 49 bundles that allegedly contained $352,220 that were concealed within the vehicle.
CBP officers seized the undeclared currency and the Mitsubishi Endeavor. The driver was turned over by CBP officers to Homeland Security Investigations (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.
