More than $56,000 in Undeclared Currency Seized at El Paso Port

(Monday, August 25, 2008)

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working outbound operations at the El Paso port of entry stopped two smuggling attempts that netted $56,221.00 in undeclared currency.

The larger of the two occurred on August 22 at about noon, when CBP officers came across a 2001 GMC pickup driven by Jesus Ramirez. CBP officers got suspicious when Ramirez became very nervous during the inspection. CBP examined Ramirez’s pickup and discovered a paper sack in the engine air filter compartment. The paper sack contained two plastic bags with U.S. currency. A total of $41,159 dollars were discovered. CBP officers placed Ramirez under arrest after ICE agents secured federal prosecution. Ramirez was transported to the El Paso County Detention Facility.

The first seizure occurred earlier that same day at the Stanton border crossing. CBP

officers conducting outbound inspections stopped a 2004 Chevrolet pickup. The driver declared $4,000 when asked by CBP officers if he was carrying over 10,000 dollars in cash, checks or other monetary instruments. CBP currency deter dog “Akimâ€