CBP Officers Seize Undeclared Currency, Marijuana at Laredo Port of Entry

April 13, 2010 - Laredo, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents at the Laredo port of entry seized more than $200,000 in undeclared currency and 145 pounds of marijuana in two separate enforcement cases on Monday.

CBP officers and agents were conducting outbound enforcement as part of joint-component operations, when they encountered a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by a 28-year-old U.S. citizen from Sherman, Texas. The vehicle was attempting the exit the U.S. through the Gateway to the Americas Bridge. CBP officers performed an initial inspection of the truck and referred it for a secondary inspection. During further inspection, CBP officers detected bundles within the tires of the truck. A total of 25 packages of undeclared currency were extracted from the tires of the vehicle. The total amount of the currency is $203,509.

The marijuana seizure occurred on the same day at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge when a CBP officer encountered a 1996 GMC Safari van entering the United States. The vehicle was driven by a 40-year-old U.S. citizen from Laredo, Texas. A closer inspection of the interior of the van by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of 54 packages containing 145 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana has a street value of $145,000.

CBP officers turned the currency, marijuana, drivers and vehicles over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents for further investigation.