CBP Goes 5 for 5, Seizing Undeclared Weapons, Ammo and Currency This Weekend at Eagle Pass Port of Entry
EAGLE PASS, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) interdicted a total of 2907 rounds of ammunition, 1 scope, 1 gun, 1 magazine and a total of $12030 in undeclared currency in five separate enforcement actions at Eagle Pass Port of Entry.
“Our frontline officers continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of blending inspection skills and experience with the use of technology to interdict multiple outbound seizures,” said Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass Port of Entry. “Our CBP officers’ expertise and fidelity to the border security mission is reflected in all five of their enforcement successes this weekend.”
On April 19, CBP officers inspected a 2013 Chevy Express Van traveling outbound at the Camino Real Bridge along with the passengers. During the physical inspection of a 69-year-old male United States citizen, officers discovered $12,030 of unreported currency hidden within his right boot. The undeclared money was seized and the subject was arrested and turned over to Maverick County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.
Also on April 19, during an inspection of a Dodge Pickup truck, CBP officers discovered 190 rounds hidden inside a bag of dog food. The undeclared ammunition was seized.
The largest of the five seizures occurred on Friday, April 18, at Camino Real Bridge. CBP officers discovered a total of 2,907 rounds of eight different calibers hidden within the pipes of an unassembled trampoline hauled in a Ford F-150 pickup truck. All rounds were seized and a $500 penalty was issued.
Also on April 18, CBP officers at Camino Real discovered an Elite Bushnell 6-24×40 rifle scope hidden within passenger luggage from a Mexico-bound vehicle. The scope was seized.
Also on April 18, CBP officers conducting examinations of a Chevy passenger van at Camino Real Bridge found a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson Hi Point JCP pistol, 19 .40-caliber rounds and a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson Hi Point JCP 10-round magazine hidden with a TV. Pistol, magazine and rounds were all seized and a $1,000 penalty was issued.
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 CBP 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 currency and/or arrest. An individual may petition for the return of currency seized by CBP officers, but the petitioner must prove that the source and intended use of the currency was legitimate.
