C.B.P. News Release

Calexico CBP Intercepts over $316,000 Bound for Mexico

(Thursday, June 30, 2011)

Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico East port of entry intercepted over $316,000 in unreported U.S. currency during outbound inspections on the evening of June 29.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. as the anti-terrorism contraband enforcement team conducted inspections of outbound vehicles and stopped a black 1999 Honda Accord driven by a 22-year-old female U.S. citizen with two passengers: a 26-year-old male Mexican citizen and a 17-year-old female U.S. citizen.

During the secondary inspection that included the use of a density meter and a detector dog, CBP officers found 11 wrapped packages containing unreported currency hidden inside the right rear quarter panel of the vehicle.

CBP officers arrested the driver, a resident of Cudahy, California, and one of the passengers, a resident of Culiacan, Sinaloa, turning them over to the Homeland Security Investigations- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for further investigation. The 17-year-old minor was release to the custody of family members.

CBP officers seized the money and vehicle. It is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements. Failure to declare may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
John Campos
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (760) 768-2625

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_re ... 2011_8.xml