U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Brownsville seized $106,000, authorities announced Thursday.
The money was in bulk, unreported U.S. currency and was found Tuesday during inspections at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge Port of Entry.
“Our officers remain vigilant as they conduct inspections of inbound and outbound traffic to secure our borders and their attention to detail was instrumental in making this seizure,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
The seizure took place when officers at the port of entry encountered a 23-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 2005 Jeep. Authorities say the man’s vehicle was selected for a routine outbound inspection.
“In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 10 packages containing bulk U.S. currency totaling $106,000 hidden within the vehicle,” authorities stated.
CBP officers seized the money and the vehicle, arrested the driver, and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
According to CBP, 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 United States or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements.
“Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest,” officials said. “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.”
