Thread: U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $62,000, Guns, Ammo

C.B.P. News Release

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $62k, Guns, Ammo

(Wednesday, March 07, 2012)

Yuma, Ariz. — U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector’s Blythe Station seized $62,286, two firearms and 1,600 rounds of ammunition in three separate incidents while conducting checkpoint operations on Interstate 10 earlier this week.

Monday, agents referred a sedan to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. After the driver consented to a vehicle search, agents discovered $45,574 cash hidden throughout the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Agents also discovered a Colt .357 revolver, 12 gauge shotgun, 1,000 rounds of .223-caliber, and 640 rounds of 7.62x39 ammunition hidden in the trunk.

The driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens, currency, weapons and ammunition were turned over to the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office.

Tuesday, agents referred a Honda Accord to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. A search of the vehicle revealed a vacuum sealed package containing $15,020 cash hidden in a backpack. After the driver denied ownership of the money, it was seized by La Paz County Sheriff’s Office.

Later that same day, agents referred a silver sedan to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. During a vehicle search, $1,692 in U.S. currency and a small amount of marijuana were found. The cash and marijuana were turned over to the by La Paz County Sheriff’s Office.

Checkpoints play a vital role in the Border Patrol's ability to restrict routes of egress from border areas. By impacting smugglers’ ability to transport contraband deeper into the United States, Border Patrol agents have made significant progress toward establishing a secure and safe border environment while improving the quality of life for Arizona’s communities.

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.

Department of Homeland Security

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/...03072012_4.xml

I wonder if any of that money will be put into Deportations??..

Originally Posted by ShawnX5

I wonder if any of that money will be put into Deportations??..

The money goes into the Federal Fines and Forfeitures Account and is used to pay for law enforcement nationwide.
Example:
ICE shares $29.5 million in forfeited drug money with 12 Texas law enforcement
http://www.alipac.us/f12/ice-shares-$29-5-million-forfeited-drug-money-12-texas-law-enforcement-251094/

The funds are divided among the participating agencies as part of HSI's asset-sharing agreement. The rest of the forfeited drug monies are retained for U.S. federal agencies that participated in the investigation, for numerous investigative initiatives. In poetic-justice fashion, the forfeited funds are distributed to local law enforcement agencies to financially support the expensive work of fighting crime and keeping the streets of south Texas safe.