U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found $756,980 in unreported cash hidden in the spare tire of a truck at the Calexico East Port of Entry in Calexico, CA.
The cash was intercepted on July 10, 2024 at approximately 4:02 p.m.
Officers were performing outbound operations at the port of entry when they encountered a 35-year-old man driving a 2024 Ford pickup truck traveling southbound into Mexico from the United States.
Officers referred the driver and the vehicle for a secondary examination.Following a thorough examination, that included use of non intrusive inspection technology, officers discovered a total of $756,980 in unreported currency hidden within the spare tire of the vehicle.
Officers seized the money. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation.It is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, but it is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a U.S. Customs officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. or to conceal it with intent to evade reporting requirements.
Failure to declare may result in seizure of the cash and or arrest.
