CBP seizes $500,000 in pot


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 2:54 PM MDT


U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers stopped an illegal exportation of nearly $200,000 while working Outbound-Operations.


On March 28th at about 6 p.m., CBP Officers were working Outbound-Operations in the south-bound lane that directs traffic from the U.S. into Mexico. CBP Officers selected a vehicle being driven by a 20-year-old man from Grand Island, Nebraska. Further inspection revealed that the man was attempting to smuggle nearly $200,000 out of U.S. The CBP Officers found the illegal currency concealed in a false compartment in the side panel of the trunk area.  

 “It is not illegal to transport money in or out the country,” said Margaret Baldenegro, Director of Special Operations at the Douglas Port of Entry” we make sure that each individual has every opportunity to declare that which they are importing or exporting; failure to do so can have severe consequences. Before traveling abroad, each individual should refer to the CBP web sight www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/ in order to understand exactly what is expected of them as they exit or enter the United Sates. Laundering schemes are not just a matter revenue manipulation but a serious threat to global stability. Customs and Border Protection is very committed in strengthening our National Security, as well as doing our part in a concerted effort with every nation that stands against terrorism.”

In another incident, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they seized more than 225 pounds of marijuana from a Tucson, Arizona couple.  

Sunday at about 4 a.m. CBP Officers at the Douglas Port of Entry were screening travelers and vehicles when they came in contact with a 25 year-old man and his 20–year-old-wife both from Tucson. The Tucson couple was in a 2002 Dodge Ram Pick-up truck. The CBP Officers became suspicious when they noticed a discrepancy in the bed of the pick-up truck that the couple was driving. Further inspection revealed that the bed of the pick-up had a secret compartment built into the bed which contained over 225 pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $361,000.

 

 CBP Officers seized the Dodge Ram and marijuana. The man and his wife were turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.   

 CBP Officers seized the illegal currency. The man was turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.   

 

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Obama fan wrote on Apr 16, 2009 9:37 AM:

    " To Pamela: Obama is opening the opportunity for citizenship through a path for those who have been here long enough to qualify. Is it better to seperate families because a child was born here? We need immigrants, not this quazi-facism of "put up a wall and shoot 'em" mentality. Are you not a human being? "

    Pamela wrote on Apr 9, 2009 11:50 PM:

    " But, they are not stopping millions of illegals, coming into our country. Obama just promised all Mexicans, he will be giving them mass, immediate U.S. citizenship. I thought, we voted in an U.S. President, not a Mexican President. Whoops. We were wrong. We are going to have to show Obama, who he works for. "

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