Tag: texas

Stacks of bills containing $100,025 in unreported currency seized by CBP officers at Rio Grande City Port of Entry.

Cash Smuggler Outdone by Texas CBP

CBP officers in Texas seized money from a 31 year old man from the United States, who did not report the money when leaving the United States (a requirement of the law).

The story, related by CBP here, is one of what seems to obviously be bulk cash smuggling in furtherance of some illegal activity (like drug smuggling). The hiding of the money, with the intent it not be reported to CBP, constitutes the offense of bulk cash smuggling.

But bulk cash smuggling comes in less obvious forms. Let’s say you put your money in a purse, with the intention of not reporting it to CBP at the time you place it there. Then, CBP asks you, “Do you have more than $10,000 on you?” You answer, “I do not.”

CBP then finds the money. This would also be bulk cash smuggling, because the money was not hidden with intent and not reported. But it’s not nearly as sinister as putting $100,000 in “dead presidents” (Benjamin Franklin was not a president..) into the body panels of your drug lord’s minivan.

Here’s the story:

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Rio Grande City Port of Entry recently seized $100,025 in bulk, unreported U.S. currency.

“The seizure of this illicit currency is an example of the determination and resolve that our CBP officers have in order to keep our country safe.  Preventing this money from reaching illicit organizations is part of the CBP border security mission,” said Port Director Imelda Recio, Rio Grande City Port of Entry.

The seizure occurred on Saturday, June 20, when CBP Officers working outbound operations at the Rio Grande City, Texas International Bridge encountered a 31-year-old male United States citizen from Rio Grande City, Texas, who was selected for a routine outbound inspection.  CBP Officers conducted a visual and physical search of the vehicle and discovered multiple packages of bulk U.S. currency totaling $100,025 hidden inside the vehicle.

Has Texas CBP seized your cash?

If Texas CBP seized your cash, we urge you to call us for a consultation before considering doing it yourself. You probably will not be happy with the outcome if you do, based on their’ aggressive posture in most cases. Read our trusted customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Stacks of Cash Seized by CBP at Veterans International Bridge

CBP Seizes $100k in Cash at Veterans Intl/Los Tomates Bridge

CBP in Brownsville seized nearly $100,000 from a traveler heading to Mexico at the Veterans International Bridge. The story from CBP indicates the man was walking, not driving a vehicle. CBP discovered multiple packages of cash totaling $99,118.

CBP seized the cash because it was not reported, but probably also because it was considered to be bulk cash smuggling.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Veterans International Bridge [Los Tomates] Port of Entry recently seized $99,118 in bulk, unreported U.S. currency.

The seizure took place on Wednesday, May 27, when CBP officers working at the Veterans International Bridge encountered a 26-year-old male United States citizen from Brownsville, Texas, who was selected for a routine outbound inspection. CBP officers conducted a visual and physical search of the traveler and the bags he was carrying which resulted in the discovery of multiple packages of bulk U.S. currency totaling $99,118 hidden on his person and within his bags.

“This important currency seizure was possible because of the diligence and watchfulness of our CBP officers,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.  “I congratulate our officers on this seizure.”

CBP officers seized the currency, arrested the traveler and turned him over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

Has Brownsville CBP seized your cash?

If Brownsville CBP seized your cash, we urge you to call us for a consultation before considering doing it yourself. You probably will not be happy with the outcome if you do, based on their’ aggressive posture in most cases. Read our trusted customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

$150,000 in bulk cash wrapped in bundles pictured on the on the roof of the vehicle from which the money was seized by U.S. Customs & Border Protection

CBP Seized $52k Currency in El Paso, Texas

CBP relates the seizure of $52,000, which was detected to be in the vehicle when the CBP equivalent of Scooby-Do sniffed it out (a currency detection canine), here’s the story (original here):

EL PASO, Texas — A significant currency seizure was made at the Stanton southbound bridge in downtown El Paso, with over $52,000 of unreported currency going southbound to Mexico.

The currency was found by a CBP currency detector dog that swept the vehicle resulting in a positive alert in the back seats of the 2002 Honda Civic.

It is not illegal to transport currency; however, currency over $10,000 must be reported. The subject and unreported currency were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for prosecution.

I’m not sure why CBP decided to share detailed info about the car, but for those keeping track at home, here’s what a 2002 Honda Civic looks like:

2002 Honda CivicHas Texas CBP seized currency?

Has Texas CBP seized currency? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Cash Seized by Laredo CBP

CBP Seizes $293K in Bulk Cash

CBP officers working the Eagle Pass, Texas, Port of entry made a huge bulk cash seizure on Mother’s Day weekend.

The seizure was $293,000 and it was being taken to Mexico by a 38 year old U.S. citizen. The story is classic bulk cash smuggling (watch an explanation of bulk cash smuggling). Here’s CBP’s rendition:

EAGLE PASS, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized undeclared currency totaling over $293,000 in one enforcement action.

“This seizure is a prime example of the great lengths our officers go to keep illicit contraband, including unreported currency, from being imported or exported from our country,” said Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

On Saturday, May 9th, officers engaged in outbound operations stopped a 2009 SUV driven by a 38-year-old male U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico for inspection.  Upon non-intrusive imaging and physical inspection of the vehicle and the driver’s personal belongings, officers discovered several packages of undeclared currency totaling over $293,000.

The currency and vehicle were seized by CBP.  The driver was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

I’m not sure who wrote the story, but if I was that person’s editor I would ask. “Why do we need to know the SUV was made in 2009?” In any event, this is a huge seizure and no wonder the man was arrested.

Has CBP seized your bulk cash?

Has CBP seized your bulk cash? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

$55000 Cash Seized in Laredo

Laredo CBP Seizes $55k

Laredo CBP seized $55,000 being taken from the United States to Mexico on May 3rd. This, despite the border being closed to all but non-essential travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s the story, which is light on details except they specify the van they were driving… why, I don’t know. But here’s a picture of a 2007 Ford E35 van, to give the story some more context:
2007 Ford E35 Van

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge intercepted … currency [on Sunday, May 3rd].

“CBP conducts enforcement operations to protect against the … unreported exportations of bulk currency,” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez, Laredo Port of Entry. “These interceptions exemplify CBP’s commitment to stop the illegal importation and exportation of contraband.”

* * *

On Sunday, May 3rd, officers conducting outbound operations stopped a 2007 Ford E35 van for inspection. Upon physical inspection of the vehicle, packages containing $55,000 of undeclared currency were discovered. The vehicle and currency were seized by CBP.

Has Laredo CBP seized your money?

Has Laredo CBP seized your money? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

$12,000 Stacked on Steel Table Seized by CBP Laredo

CBP Laredo Seizes $12,000 Heading to Mexico

CBP in Texas, this time in Laredo, Texas, seized $12,031 from a person walking into Mexico.

They call the unreported, and possibly smuggled cash, contraband. This is true; although carrying money into or out of the country is not illegal, not reporting more than $10,000, smuggling it (hiding it), or structuring it (dividing it), is illegal. Thus, because the money is involved in this violation, it becomes contraband because it is illegally imported or exported.

Here’s part of news release:

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry seize contraband … while conducting enforcement operations.

On Thursday, May 7, officers working outbound operations stopped a pedestrian traveling to Mexico for inspection.  Upon physical inspection of the pedestrian’s personal belongings, officers discovered packages of undeclared currency in the amount of $12,031. The currency was seized by CBP.

There is no indication in the story that the person was arrested, only that they were under investigation.

Has CBP seized your currency?

Has CBP seized your currency? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Stacks of bills totaling $16,152 in unreported currency seized by CBP officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

Texas CBP Seizes $12k Currency Outbound to Mexio

If it wasn’t for the CBP currency seizures in Texas, lately, I would have no cash seizure to write about and comment on. Thus, today I write about another Texas CBP currency seizure, and again it is at the Eagle Pass port of entry, this time at the Camino Real Bridge. The CBP news release details a couple of enforcement incidents, but our focus is on the seized currency.

In this story, two male Mexican citizens traveling together carried (and thus had seized) $12,247 in “unreported currency.” When two people travel together and have money seized, we usually see Customs aggregating the currency they travel with together and then accusing them (and questioning them, often aggressively) about how “they divided the money” to not have to report it.

To give an example, in this case it’s possible the $5,000 belong to one of the guys, and the other $7,000 belonged to the second guy. When stopped by CBP and asked if they are traveling with currency, the men will respond:

“I have $5,000, and my friend has $7,000.” At this point, it’s very likely they will have their money seized because CBP has no way of knowing if you’re telling the truth and the money really belongs to both people, and not just one person who has structured (i.e., divided) the money so he does not have to report it.

I did a video that probably explains it a little better, watch it here.

That’s how it probably all happened. But here’s the story:

EAGLE PASS, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) interdicted a steady stream of undeclared currency, firearms and ammunition this week in four enforcement actions at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

“Our frontline officers continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of blending inspection skills and experience with the use of technology in these enforcement actions,” said Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

* * *

On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, CBP officers inspected a 2008 Saturn Astro XR traveling outbound at the Camino Real Bridge driven by a 35-year-old male Mexican citizen accompanied by a 45-year-old male Mexican citizen. During the inspection officers discovered $12,247 of unreported currency. The undeclared money was seized and both subjects were arrested and turned over to Maverick County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

Has Texas CBP seized currency?

Has Texas CBP seized currency? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Stacks of bills totaling $16,152 in unreported currency seized by CBP officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

Texas CBP Seizes $12k from Old Man’s Boot

CBP Texas seized $12,030 from a 69 year-old U.S. citizen who was heading to Mexcio. The money he carried was “hidden in his right boot” and the man was arrested and turned over to local law enforcement for investigation. Thus, the title of this post.

To be sure, failing to report money and bulk cash smuggling are crimes. In this case, hiding money in your boot and not reporting it to Customs is a crime. However, in my experience (which is limited to the client’s I’ve had), bulk cash smuggling does not result in an arrest but only an enhanced penalty.

Therefore, it is my hope that this elderly man was up to no good (i.e., carrying money on behalf of the cartels) and not just an old man who was trying to keep his money in a safe place as he headed into the criminal uncertainties of Mexico.

EAGLE PASS, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) interdicted . . . a total of $12,030 in undeclared currency … at [the] Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

On April 19, CBP officers inspected a 2013 Chevy Express van traveling outbound at the Camino Real Bridge along with the passengers. During the physical inspection of a 69-year-old male United States citizen, officers discovered $12,030 of unreported currency hidden within his right boot. The undeclared money was seized and the subject was arrested and turned over to Maverick County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

Has Texas CBP seized your money?

Has Texas CBP seized your money? If so, we can help. Read our helpful customs money seizure legal guide (or watch the videos) and contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

Stacks of bills totaling $163,130 in unreported currency seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge

Texas CBP Seizes $214K in Undeclared Cash

Below is a report by Texas CBP of seizure of cash leaving outboun to Mexico, which was seized from a 23-year-old Mexican national. The young man had $214,000 hidden in his vehicle, and what surely will prove to be a classic case of bulk cash smuggling (bulk cash smuggling is when money is hidden with the intent of not reporting it to CBP).

From our own experience, CBP in states like Texas and California seem to be more active in seizing cash than the Northern states where CBP is operating. This although the U.S.-Mexico border is closed to non-essential travel through June 22, and the U.S.-Canada border until June 21.

Here is the story:

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the … Anzalduas International Bridges intercepted … $214,000 in unreported U.S. currency … [at the end of February 2020].

* * *

The currency seizure occurred on Feb. 21 after CBP officers assigned to the Anzalduas-Reynosa International Bridge performing outbound inspections selected a silver 2018 Kia Forte driven by a 23-year-old from Guadalajara for further inspection. A thorough secondary examination resulted in officers discovering 18 bundles of U.S. currency totaling $214,000 hidden within the car.

The story ends by stating that the CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO) seized the currency and the vehicle in the failed smuggling attempts. The men were also arrested.

Have you had cash seized by Texas CBP?

If you have had cash seized by Texas CBP, we can help. Read our trusted customs money seizure legal guide or can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.

CBP Seizes $45k Currency and Vehicle in Laredo

Though money seizures from traveler’s have slowed at the nation’s airports due to the pandemic, such is not the case at our nation’s land-borders, especially with Mexico. As an example, today we bring our customs law blog’s audience Customs seizure of $45,000 in unreported cash heading to Mexico about a month ago. The story was also picked up by Breitbart (why this run-of-the-mill seizure merited their attention I can only guess).

In this case, not only the currency was seized, but also the vehicle. The people involved were not arrested, however. The seizure of the vehicle might mean that they suspect more was going on than just some people traveling with cash that they did not want to report; it could also be seized because it is what the cash was smuggled inside of… that is called bulk cash smuggling.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers working outbound operations seized over $45,000 in undeclared currency in a single enforcement act over the weekend.

“CBP’s national security mandate is complex, ranging from Anti-Terrorism to more traditional counter drug operations,” said Port Director Gregory Alvarez, Laredo Port of Entry. “This seizure of $45,157 is a direct reflection of our continuous commitment to enforce federal currency reporting requirements.”

On Friday, April 11, officers assigned to outbound operations referred a 2020 Toyota Avalon traveling to Mexico for examination. Upon physical inspection of the vehicle and subject’s personal belongings, packages containing $45,157 of undeclared currency were discovered. The vehicle and currency were seized by CBP.

The vehicle was seized and the case was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

Has Laredo CBP seized your cash?

If CBP in Laredo has seized your cash, you need a lawyer. Read our trusted customs money seizure legal guide and can contact us for a free currency seizure consultation by clicking the contact buttons on this page.