Last Thursday, a routine outbound inspection at the Pharr International Bridge led to the seizure of more than $65,000 in unreported currency. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Texas crossing discovered the funds concealed within a red Ford pickup, bound for Mexico, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
As reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the currency was not reported as required by law when exiting the United States. According to CBP Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, "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." It is often "These types of bulk cash seizures, often proceeds from illegal activity, deny transnational criminal organizations the ability to profit from their illicit enterprises and exemplify CBP’s ongoing commitment to our priority border security mission."
During the secondary inspection of the vehicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered five bundles hidden within which amounted to a total of $65,948 in unreported currency. Carrying more than $10,000 is not a crime in itself; however, failing to declare such amounts to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. is a federal offense.
The seized currency has initiated a criminal investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents. Those carrying significant amounts of cash must declare it or risk seizure and potentially arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, but they must prove the source and the intended use of the currency was legitimate.
