About a week ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released this news regarding a currency seizure in San Diego:
U.S. Border Patrol agents patrolling the I-15 and agents at the I-5 checkpoint apprehended two individuals in separate events who were involved in smuggling Monday.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., agents encountered a male Mexican national driver on Interstate 15 exhibiting suspicious behavior. Agents conducted a routine traffic stop and questioned the man. A subsequent inspection by a canine team resulted in an alert to the trunk of the 2000 Mercury Marquis. A search of the trunk revealed $43,000 in undeclared U.S. currency hidden inside a cardboard box that was located beneath a false floor. The 55-year-old man was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. The vehicle and cash were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
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To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
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.
This seizure is different from most articles that I comment on here. For one, it was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol Agents (part of CBP), and because the money was seized after the individual entered the United States.
If you have had currency seized and are contemplating what to do next, please make use of the other information I make available on this website or call my office at (734) 855-4999 or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist with currency seizures around the country, including Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando and many other places, and not just locally in Detroit.
Please read these other articles:
- Seizure of currency and monetary instruments by U.S. Customs
- Seizure for bulk cash smuggling into or out of the U.S.
- Structuring currency imports and exports
- Is it $10,000 per person? Â Under what circumstances is filing a report with Customs for transporting more than $10,000 required?
- Criminal & civil penalties for failing to report monetary instrument transportation
- Is only cash currency subject to seizure by Customs?
- Responding to a Customs currency seizure
- How do I get my seized money back?