EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers working outbound operations seized over $110,000 in undeclared currency in a single enforcement action.
“CBP continues to focus on national security to include unreported and concealed currency,” said Acting Port Director Michael Martinez, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. “This seizure should be a reminder to the public of the importance of complying with federal currency reporting requirements.”
The enforcement action occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 22, when officers assigned to outbound operations referred a 37-year-old male driving a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup for secondary inspection. Following a non-intrusive inspection system and physical inspection of the vehicle, CBP officers discovered four packages containing $119,880 in undeclared currency within the vehicle.
CBP seized the currency and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents arrested the driver and have initiated a criminal 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.
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