Thread: Feds seize more than $380,000 at B&M Bridge

Feds seize more than $380,000 at B&M Bridge
February 23, 2011 3:11 PM
The Brownsville Herald

Federal authorities working south bound enforcement at the B&M Bridge seized more than $380,000 in cash earlier this week.

Authorities with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Border Patrol made the $381,000 seizure as the driver of a 1996 Dodge Ram truck was trying to travel into Mexico on Sunday, officials said.

The driver, identified as a 19-year-old Pharr man, was traveling with two minors. He was referred to a secondary inspection at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, where authorities discovered 15 packages of bulk U.S. money hidden inside the truck, officials said.

Officers with CBP confiscated the money and the truck and referred the case to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigation or (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

Officials said it is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense if money of $10,000 or more is not declared when leaving the country.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/f ... eize-.html

CBP Officers Find Nearly $400,000 in Cash

Last Update: 1:12 pm

BROWNSVILLE - CBP officers working at the B&M Bridge in Brownsville found nearly $400,000 in cash hidden in a truck headed to Mexico.

The 19-year old driver from Pharr was detained and questioned. The truck and cash are in ICE custody.

Drivers are reminded that it's not illegal to carry a large amount of cash into Mexico, but if it's more than $10,000, it must be declared. If not, you could face federal charges.

It has been a busy year for CBP officers in South Texas. Here's a look at some of the numbers for the 2010 fiscal year.

More than 150,000 pounds of drugs, with an estimated street value of $407 million were seized. That's a 45-percent increase from the 2009 fiscal year.

They also seized $13.6 million in undeclared cash, more than 100 weapons and over 64,000 rounds of ammunition.

http://www.krgv.com/content/news/story/ ... 1Q6kg.cspx

C.B.P. News Release

CBP Seizes $381K in Currency Bound for Mexico in Brownsville

(Wednesday, February 23, 2011)

Brownsville, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents conducting outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville port of entry seized $381,060 in bulk U.S. currency.

On Feb. 20, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge came in contact with a red 1996 Dodge Ram as it attempted to exit the U.S. and enter Mexico. The driver, a 19 year-old U.S. citizen from Pharr, Texas, traveling with two minors was referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, a search of the Dodge resulted in the discovery of 15 packages of bulk U.S. currency hidden within the vehicle.

CBP officers seized the currency the vehicle and the case has been referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

“Brownsville CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working together on outbound enforcement prevented this large amount of bulk U.S. currency from being exported without meeting reporting requirements and in violation of federal law. I commend our officers and agents for their outstanding contribution to the seizure of undeclared currency,â€