Officers discovered unreported currency concealed inside a vehicle during an outbound inspection.
LAREDO, Texas — Federal officers intercepted more than a quarter-million dollars in hidden cash during a routine inspection at the border.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the seizure happened April 21 at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge.
Officials say a 46-year-old woman driving a 2017 Dodge Journey was selected for a secondary inspection while heading south into Mexico.
Using nonintrusive imaging technology, officers discovered $272,940 in unreported U.S. currency hidden within the vehicle’s floor.
Authorities seized both the cash and the vehicle. The driver, a Mexican citizen, was arrested, and Homeland Security Investigations has launched a criminal investigation.
CBP officials say bulk cash seizures like this are often tied to illicit activity and help disrupt criminal operations.
While carrying more than $10,000 is not illegal, federal law requires travelers to declare that amount when entering or leaving the U.S. Failure to do so can lead to seizure and arrest.