see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   El Paso CBP Officers Discover 3,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Shipment of Watermelons ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo Port of Entry Wednesday conducted outbound operations that resulted in the seizure of $364,009 in undeclared currency in two separate incidents. The enforcement actions resulted in one arrest and the seizure of two vehicles.

The larger of the two currency seizures occurred shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge. CBP officers conducting outbound (southbound) inspections referred a 2008 BMW 120I driven by Ricardo Regalado Guerra, a 22-year-old, Mexican national from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico for a secondary examination.

The driver gave a negative declaration for currency in excess of $10,000, weapons or ammunition. An X-ray scan of the vehicle revealed anomalies within both rear-quarter panels of the vehicle. CBP currency canine “Akim” alerted to the odor and presence of currency in the exact same locations.

CBP officers discovered six packages containing a total of $260,010 in currency concealed within the rear quarter panels of the BMW. CBP officers arrested Regalado Guerra on federal bulk cash smuggling charges and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents who transported him to the Webb Country Jail where he remains incarcerated pending his appearance before a U. S. Magistrate. An investigation by ICE continues in the case. The vehicle was seized by CBP officers.

The other seizure occurred only two hours later on the same day and at the same bridge. CBP officers continuing to conduct outbound inspections encountered a 1998 Ford Explorer driven by a woman, a 26-year-old, Mexican citizen from Lagrange, Georgia. Officers performing the inspection used a currency detector dog to assist with the search of the baggage from the vehicle. After “Akim” alerted to the odor of currency coming from several picture frames among the baggage, the officers continued the inspection by using an X-ray system to quickly scan the frames for anomalies.

The officers noticed discrepancies within the picture frames. A closer inspection revealed bundles of currency concealed within four of the picture frames. A total of $103,999 was removed from the frames. Although there were no arrests in this case, ICE is pursuing leads and the investigation continues. The vehicle was seized by CBP officers.

“These are two very significant currency seizures,” said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo. “Anytime that our officers take significant amounts of money like these from criminal organizations; you know that the impact will be felt.”

Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U. S. However, if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. 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.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.