August 25, 09

NEWS / CBP Outbound Enforcement Operation Results in Discovery of $55,000 Strapped to Travelers Bodies

Hidalgo/Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo/Pharr port of entry seized $54,760.00 in U.S. bulk cash.

On August 17, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents working outbound enforcement operations at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a red 1993 Toyota Corolla that was headed south into Mexico. After having made contact with the vehicle, its 24-year-old driver, one 22-year-old female passenger, both U.S. citizens, and one 45-year-old male Mexican citizen passenger, CBP officers referred the vehicle and its occupants to secondary for an intensified examination.


In secondary, CBP officers and Border Patrol agents discovered six hidden packages strapped to each of the occupants’ bodies containing bulk U.S. currency. The 18 bundles contained a total of $54,760. CBP seized the undeclared U.S. currency.


“Hidalgo/Pharr-based CBP officers and Border Patrol agents greatly contributed to the prevention of this U.S. currency from being exported contrary to federal currency reporting requirements. Our CBP officers and agents work diligently to stop U.S. bulk cash from being smuggled into Mexico. This is a good interception by our outbound team in Pharr,” said Larry D. Fluty, CBP acting port director, Hidalgo/Pharr.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08192009.xml