PRESIDIO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers working at the Presidio Port of Entry seized one firearm with three magazines, $81,000 in unreported U.S. currency, marijuana, and ecstasy from a 55-year-old Mexican citizen.
The seizure was made at approximately 2 p.m. on November 9 when the subject was traveling into Mexico via the Presidio Port of Entry. CBP Officers conducting southbound inspections chose the subject for a secondary inspection. During that inspection, CBP Officers found that he had one firearm with three magazines hidden in an electric heater, $81,000 hidden inside of a speaker box, 1.79 pounds of marijuana and .18 pounds of ecstasy hidden in a second speaker box.
CBP Officers arrested the smuggler and he was turned over to local authorities to face charges for the failed smuggling attempt.
“CBP Officers did an exceptional job at stopping this bulk cash smuggling attempt,” said Presidio Port Director Fred Hutterer, “Officer training and knowledge of smuggling tactics was at the forefront of this seizure.”
Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, the currency must be formally reported to CBP. 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.