CBP: $114K in unreported currency seized at Brownsville Port

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized over $114,000 in unreported currency at the Brownsville Port of Entry on Thursday.

The money was hidden within a vehicle and was discovered during an outbound examination, according to a news release.

"This is the second outbound seizure of more than $100,000 in unreported currency in South Texas this week and reflects the vigilance and determination of our frontline officers to advance our border security mission," Acting Port Director for Brownsville Port of Entry, Michael Reyes said.

The seizure occurred at the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios when a CBP officer referred a southbound vehicle driven by a 52-year-old male U.S. citizen for secondary examination.

During the examination, officers utilized canines and nonintrusive inspection systems and discovered a total of $114,020 in unreported currency concealed within the vehicle.

"These types of seizures, often proceeds from illicit activity, have a more direct and financial impact on transnational criminal organizations, negating the profit potential of such activity, said Reyes.

Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation.

CPB would like the public to know it is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to an officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements.