Thread: C.B.P. Officers Seize $500K During Outbound Enforcement

C.B.P. News Release

C.B.P. Officers in Pharr Seize $500K During Outbound Enforcement Operation

(Thursday, April 23, 2009)

Pharr, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working an outbound enforcement operation seized $500,003.00 in undeclared U.S. bulk cash early yesterday afternoon.

On April 22, at 12:30 p.m., CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr port of entry, outbound lanes, came in contact with a 2009 Nissan

CBP officers discover more than $500,000 hidden in a secret compartment of a vehicle.

Sentra sedan that was traveling south headed into Mexico.

After making contact, both driver and vehicle were referred to secondary for an intensive examination. In secondary, officers referred the vehicle for a non-intrusive image scan. X-ray images revealed anomalies within the vehicle’s floor area below the front seats. While conducting an intensive examination of the vehicle, officers discovered two secret man-made compartments under the driver’s and passenger front seats. After accessing the compartments via the trap doors, officers removed a total of 48 undeclared U.S. bulk cash packages that were found hidden in the two compartments.

The driver, identified as Emanuel Alejandro Martinez Jasso, a Mexican citizen, age 22 from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico was arrested on Federal bulk cash smuggling charges. After his arrest, Martinez Jasso was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this currency seizure. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Martinez Jasso remains incarcerated. CBP officers seized the bulk cash and the 2009 Nissan Sentra.

Javier Cantu, CBP acting port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our officers for their work in intercepting this large amount of undeclared U.S. bulk cash.â€

The U.S. gets to keep this cash. If Mexico had found it they would get to keep it.

I can picture this ticking off Mexico...I am sure it won't belong before they complain about this!!

And yet people are Teed off 'cause this slows down crossing? The only people who should be upset are the cartels... the US is hitting 'em where it hurts the worst, their pocketbooks. The cartels lose each way this way, sure they sell the drugs but they ain't getting the profits are they? Works for me just fine! BUT on the other hand, this could step up the violence on our side of the border, and that does scare me.