Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry had their hands full recently after snagging a sizable haul of undeclared cash in two separate incidents. In the details provided by a CBP press release, officers uncovered $107,152, a reminder that while carrying large amounts of money isn't illegal, the failure to report anything over $10,000 can lead to some serious legal headaches.
Security measures were at the forefront during the first event, when a U.S. citizen, aged 43, driving a 2014 Chevrolet was referred to a secondary inspection on August 26. After a close examination, officers found $36,500 hidden in the vehicle, with an additional $639 found on the driver themselves. Port Director Tater Ortiz was swift to underline CBP's vigilance and commented, "Seizures of unreported bulk currency often are proceeds from illicit activity so seizures like these help advance CBP’s border security mission" as mentioned on the CBP press release.
Barely skipping a beat, a second instance unfolded on August 30. Officers at the Veterans International Bridge pulled over a 31-year-old female U.S. citizen for a standard check. Her 2019 Chevrolet must have seemed no more than another vehicle crossing the border, but what the vehicle concealed was another $70,013 in hidden currency, waiting to be discovered during an in-depth secondary inspection.
The CBP officers didn't just count the cash and let things slide. Both drivers found themselves in cuffs and received a complimentary escort to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for a deeper dive into their activities. Not only was the money seized, but both the 2014 and 2019 Chevrolets were also claimed by the CBP.
Individuals who have had their currency taken can file a petition for its return, but they're tasked with proving the money's origin and intended use was above board.
