BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Gateway International Bridge Port of Entry seized $78,781 in bulk, unreported U.S. currency.
“Our officers remain vigilant as they carry out the mission of securing our borders conducting inspections of inbound and outbound traffic. Their diligence led to this important currency seizure,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
seized by CBP officers at Brownsville Port of Entry.
The seizure took place on Friday, Mar. 26, when CBP officers working at the Gateway International Bridge encountered a 28-year-old male United States citizen from Houston, Texas, who was selected for a routine outbound inspection. CBP officers conducted a visual and physical search of the traveler which resulted in the discovery of five packages of bulk U.S. currency totaling $78,781 hidden on his person and within the vehicle.
CBP officers seized the currency, arrested the traveler, and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.
It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
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