U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge have intercepted more than $74,000 in undeclared U.S. currency during a routine vehicle inspection. The discovery highlights ongoing efforts to combat currency smuggling along the southern border.
The incident occurred during a standard inspection of a vehicle entering the United States from Mexico. Federal regulations require travelers to declare any currency or monetary instruments exceeding $10,000 when crossing international borders, regardless of direction of travel.
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Routine Inspection Uncovers Violation
Customs officers discovered the undeclared currency concealed within the vehicle during a secondary inspection prompted by routine screening procedures. The driver failed to declare the substantial amount of cash as required by federal regulations, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Brownsville port of entry processes thousands of vehicles daily, making it one of the busiest border crossings between the United States and Mexico. CBP officers use various detection methods and training to identify potential violations during the high-volume inspection process.
Federal Currency Reporting Requirements
U.S. law requires all travelers to declare currency or monetary instruments valued at $10,000 or more when entering or leaving the country. This requirement applies to cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, and other negotiable instruments, regardless of whether the traveler is a U.S. citizen or foreign national…