San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry along the California border with Mexico seized $115,142 during outbound inspections last week.
From March 15 through today, CBP officers seized currency en route to Mexico that was either undeclared or in the possession of an individual attempting to evade reporting requirements. The money was seized from U.S. and Mexican travelers who were entering Mexico on foot, by bus or in a private vehicle.
The largest seizure occurred on Tuesday, March 16, when officers encountered a 40-year-old female U.S. citizen from Tijuana, who was en route to Mexico as a pedestrian.
Officers stopped the woman and upon further investigation discovered bundles of money in her purse totaling $33,900. CBP seized the currency.
Also on Tuesday, at the Calexico downtown port of entry, officers encountered a 28-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2001 Ford Explorer and pulled him and the vehicle aside for inspection before he drove into Mexico.
Officers utilized a dual use currency/firearms detector dog that alerted to the Explorer. When officers searched the vehicle they discovered a total of $13,905 in a plastic bag concealed in the passenger side rear quarter panel. CBP seized the vehicle and currency.
It is legal to transport currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 upon entry or exit from the U.S. However, it is illegal to fail to declare it to CBP or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.