U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a woman carrying over $114,000 in undeclared cash as she tried to cross into Mexico by taxi at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on Sunday, according to a news release from the federal agency.
Officers conducting outbound enforcement operations selected a blue Ford SUV for inspection. It was occupied by 26-year-old Rosa Maria Zuniga Sagrero, who is a U.S. citizen, a criminal complaint said.
Zuniga told officers she was traveling to Reynosa, Mexico and said she didn’t have any firearms, ammunition or currency exceeding $10,000, according to the report.
At the second inspection area, officers found three bulk currency packages sealed in plastic bags and wrapped with black tape inside of Zuniga’s jacket and purse, the release said. Because she was physically holding the packages, officers believe she knowingly concealed the cash, according to the complaint.
Officers counted a total of twelve packages with a total of $114,294 on Zuniga’s person.
“CBP officers conduct outbound enforcement operations to protect against unreported exportations of bulk U.S. currency, which often can be proceeds from alleged illicit activity, or currency that funds transnational criminal organizations,” Port Director Carlos Rodriguez said in the release.
Zuniga was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigation agents for further investigation, the report said.
The currency was seized by CBP.
Zuniga is set to appear before Magistrate Judge Juan Alanis on Thursday.
