Calexico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted $475,090 in undeclared U.S. currency during an outbound enforcement operation at the Calexico downtown port of entry, on October 11.

	A CBP detector dog led officers to the discovery of 46 vacuum sealed packages containing $475,000 in U.S. currency concealed inside the vehicle’s gas tank.

The incident occurred at 12:30 p.m. when officers, conducting outbound inspections, referred a black 2009 Mazda 6 for further examination.

The driver, a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen and resident of San Bernardino, California, gave officers a negative declaration to possessing more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments.

The examination included the use of a detector dog which led officers to the discovery of 46 vacuum sealed packages containing U.S. currency concealed inside the vehicle’s gas tank.

CBP officers arrested the driver and seized the money and vehicle.

“This seizure demonstrates the ongoing commitment of our officers to enforcing U.S. laws and stopping the flow of illegal proceeds and weapons from going into Mexico,” said Port Director Billy Whitford.

It is a federal offense not to declare currency or monetary instruments totaling more than $10,000 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.

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.