C.B.P. News Release

Federal Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port Intercept over $2,000,000 in U.S. Currency

(Monday, August 09, 2010)

Calexico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Border Patrol agents stopped $2,111,119 in undeclared currency from leaving the United States during an outbound enforcement operation at the Calexico downtown port of entry over the weekend.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Border Patrol agents stopped $2,111,119 in undeclared currency from leaving the United States during an outbound enforcement operation at the Calexico downtown port of entry over the weekend.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 8th, when officers conducting enforcement outbound operations referred a black 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck for an intensive inspection.

The driver, a 29-year-old male United States citizen and resident of Calexico, gave officers a negative declaration to possessing more than $10,000 or firearms.

The intensive examination that included a currency-firearm detector dog led officers to the discovery of over two million dollars in U.S. currency concealed inside two pieces of luggage, a duffle bag and a large plastic tub all located within the cabin area of the truck.

CBP officers arrested the driver and turned him over to the custody of ICE agents for further investigation. CBP seized the money and vehicle.

Assistant Port Director David Salazar stated, “This seizure is a testament of our officer’s commitment to enforcing U.S. Laws and stopping the flow of illegal proceeds and weapons from going into Mexico.

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://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_8.xml