U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a significant discovery at the Hidalgo International Bridge when they seized more than $79,000 in unreported currency. The cache was found hidden in a vehicle during an outbound inspection. In a statement obtained by CBP's newsroom, Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said, "Our frontline CBP officers utilized their training and experience along with technology in the outbound environment and prevented a significant amount of unreported currency from going south."
This operation took place on Monday, Sept. 23, when CBP officers selected a southbound 2008 Honda for a secondary examination. The driver, a 58-year-old male Mexican citizen, was directed to quickly undergo a more detailed check which involved the use of a nonintrusive inspection system. It was these actions that led to the discovery of five packages containing a total of $79,392 in unreported currency, meticulously hidden within the vehicle's structure.
Following this discovery, CBP officials seized the hidden funds. The driver was arrested, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents kicked off a criminal investigation. The seizure serves as a stark reminder of the laws governing the movement of large sums of money across U.S. borders. It is legal to carry amounts over $10,000, but failure to declare such sums to a CBP officer upon entry or exit can lead to severe consequences.
