HIDALGO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made a significant seizure at the Hidalgo International Bridge this week, confiscating over $79,000 in unreported currency during an outbound examination. The discovery occurred on Monday, September 23, 2024, when CBP officers conducted a thorough secondary inspection of a southbound 2008 Honda, driven by a 58-year-old male Mexican citizen.
The vehicle was flagged for secondary inspection by a CBP officer, where officers employed a nonintrusive inspection system to conduct a detailed search. Upon investigation, five packages containing a total of $79,392 in unreported currency were found concealed within the vehicle. The cash was immediately seized by the CBP officers.
“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,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “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.”
While it is not illegal to transport more than $10,000 in cash, federal law requires individuals to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to CBP upon entry or exit from the United States. Failing to declare the currency or attempting to conceal it with the intent to evade reporting requirements constitutes a federal offense. The consequences of non-compliance include the seizure of the currency and potential arrest of the individual involved.
In this case, the driver was arrested by special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and a criminal investigation has been initiated. Individuals whose currency is seized may petition for its return by proving that the source and intended use of the money were legitimate. However, this process is often rigorous, as authorities thoroughly examine the legitimacy of the funds.
This cash seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of CBP to combat illegal activities at U.S. borders and prevent criminal organizations from benefiting financially from illicit operations. Through the diligent efforts of CBP officers and advanced technology, significant amounts of unreported currency are intercepted, further securing the nation’s borders.–News Desk