Tag: vehicle seizure

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.

CBP Seizes Alleged Counterfeit Auto Parts in Florida

Here’s one of those seldom thought about counterfeit merchandise seizures: counterfeit autoparts. When you think about counterfeits you usually think about currency, clothing, watches, and things like that. You don’t typically think of auto parts being something is counterfeited. But apparently they are out there, and it happens a lot, and its dangerous. Here’s the story from Customs (full version here):

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and import specialists seized more than 3,260 counterfeit automobile parts during an inspection at Port Everglades on May 8. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the counterfeit products is around $280,000.

CBP, along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), targeted the shipment as part of a joint multi-layered enforcement operation focused on interdicting illegal counterfeit automotive parts.

The seizure included over 180 different types of vehicle parts ranging from small fuses to front ends.

Counterfeit automotive parts are a safety risk as they are of inferior quality compared to the authentic product and their failure to perform to standard could cause safety issues resulting in catastrophic failure.

 

You might be facing penalties from customs for importing counterfeit merchandise. We can help. Typically, we recommended preparing and filing a petition, with the assistance of legal counsel, which argues persuasively for the substantial mitigation, or when the facts and law warrant it, cancellation of the penalty in full.

Great Lakes Customs Law has been very successful in getting these kinds of penalties reduced and, sometimes, even eliminated entirely (some history of our success is HERE).If you have had merchandise seized by customs because they allege it is counterfeit and contains trademark violations and/or have a received a notice of penalty for importing alleged counterfeits or for making an importation contrary to law, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page. We are able to assist petitions for customs penalties and seizures around the country, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and many other places. Please read these other articles:

CBP Stolen Vehicle Seizure of Classic Jaguar

A CBP stolen vehicle seizure story proves that customs law isn’t always about currency seizures, product classification, country of origin marking, and trademark infringement. Sometime’s it’s about far less probable occurrences, like this interesting story from customs. The story is similar to one that previously occurred in the Port of Detroit about a 1965 VW Bug that was being exported, which was allegedly stolen at some point in the distant past. I share this story because it’s interesting and allows me to share with the public some of CBP’s own policy for stolen vehicle seizures.

CBP probably seized these vehicles for violations 19 USC 1627a, which covers the knowing exportation of certain stolen vehicles which also carries a $10,000 penalty under 19 CFR 192.3. The story does not tell us much about the exporter, but because the car was stolen more than 46 years ago, I seriously doubt the he knew the car was stolen. And if the exporter did not know the car was stolen, customs own guidelines state that the seized car can be returned to the to the person who obtained an ownership interest in good faith and without awareness of the theft. The story and comments below:

LOS ANGELES— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in officers in partnership with a National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Special Agent and a California Highway Patrol-Investigative Services Unit

CBP Stolen Vehicle Seizure
CBP Seizure of Stolen Jaguar XKE

Investigator assigned to the Foreign Export and Recovery (FEAR) outbound team at the Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) seaport complex, recently recovered and seized five automobiles ranging from 47 years old to brand new.

Stolen 46 years ago in New York, in a container en route to the Netherlands, a white, two door 1967 Jaguar XKE convertible was discovered and ordered returned. When only a year old, that British sports car was taken from its residence between 11:15 p.m. on March 13, 1968, and 7:50 a.m. the following morning. It was a bullet grey color then, valued at $5,000. Today, in fair condition, it is worth about $23,600; others in better condition can fetch near $100K.

The collectible will be reunited with its excited owner who lives in Florida now and remarked over the phone, “This is just a miracle, a miracle. I was 36 years old then and now I’m 82. It was my first good car and favorite. It’s a wonderful car. I used to get up at 4 or 5 in the morning on either Saturday or Sunday and drive it 90 to 100 (mph) on the highway in New York. It was good for the engine in a car like that. I bought it brand new. I had it less than a year. I’m going to restore it. And, if anyone asks, I’ll tell them I’m very proud of my government.”

The four other cars seized are a stolen 1969 blue Chevrolet Corvette, and fraudulently obtained 1976 light brown and 2007 white Mercedes models 280 and E350, respectively and 2014 red Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Given that it was stolen more than 40 years and has probably passed through several different owners, I am willing to bet the current owner of the vehicle and whoever was going to be receiving it in Europe was surprised at the seizure. There could be some penalties in their future. If so, they should get a customs lawyer because they have a great chance of getting the car back by making a legal argument for its return through a petition for remission filed with the local FP&F Officer.

If you have a customs problem like this or any of the other customs violations our customs law firm handles, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page.

CBP Recovers Stolen Vehicle After 40 Years

Customs law and this blog isn’t always about currency seizures, product classification, country of origin marking, trademark infringement. Sometime’s it’s about far less probable occurrences, like this cool story from customs, with some pictures available care of the article on the same topic at the local news. Another news outlet found the owner, who tells his side of the story… be sure to scroll down and read the story below.

Detroit – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Detroit recovered a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle nearly 40 years after it was reported stolen from Knoxville, Tennessee.

The vehicle was being shipped from Michigan to Finland. When the vehicle and its documents were examined on January 30, CBP officers learned the Volkswagen was reported stolen in 1974. Agents from the National Insurance Crime Bureau worked with CBP to confirm that the vehicle matched the information reported to Knoxville Police nearly 40 years ago.

“Part of safeguarding our nation is to make sure that all exports are legitimate and lawful,” said Acting Port Director Marty Raybon. “Recovering a vehicle reported stolen 40 years ago is a testament to the vigilance and attention to detail on the part of CBP.”

Odd Onion has a story from the original owner of the care, who produced a copy of the title and tells the story of the day it was stolen! Here are some excerpts, but read the full story HERE.

On Friday, [the owner Joseph] MacDonald showed WBIR-TV the title for the car, which he said he purchased in 1973 while studying at the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville.

“I knew exactly where I had parked it, right on Highland Avenue, and when we came back there was just an empty spot there. Just poof. It just vanished,” he told the station.

After reviewing photos released by federal border officials, MacDonald said he was sure the car is his stolen Beetle.

“She’s got a new paint job, the same top. I know that’s the bumpers. That’s original bumpers. And that top stayed down. It didn’t matter how cold it was,” he told WBIR-TV.

Stolen VW Beetle

“I had always hoped to be reunited with that thing. I’ve actually told my youngest daughter about that car and she said, ‘Boy I wish you still had it,’ and I said, ‘I do too. I loved it.’ And I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that I might get it back.” 

The Knoxville Police Department told the station MacDonald will have to present the title to investigators in order to get the car back.

Given that it was stolen more than 40 years and has probably passed through several different owners, I am willing to bet the current owner of the vehicle and whoever was going to be receiving it in Finland was surprised at the seizure. There could be some penalties in their future. If so, they should get a lawyer.

If you have a customs problem like this or any of the other customs violations our customs law firm handles, call our office at (734) 855-4999 to speak to a customs lawyer, or e-mail us through our contact page.