U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers confiscated $40,000 in cash concealed inside a grocery bag during a routine inspection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, one of the busiest border crossings in the world.

According to a report by En Línea BC, the money was found in the vehicle of a Mexican citizen attempting to cross into the United States. U.S. law states that transporting more than $10,000 without declaring it constitutes a violation of currency control regulations.

The confiscated amount, which significantly exceeded the undeclared limit, qualified the case as currency smuggling. Authorities reported that the cash is now in CBP custody while its origin and intended destination are under investigation.

You might also be interested in its Spanish version: Ocultan $40,000 dólares en una bolsa de mandado: Decomiso en San Ysidro

While carrying large sums of cash is not illegal, failing to declare amounts over $10,000 at the border is a violation that can lead to the seizure of the money, financial penalties, and possible criminal charges.

CBP reiterated the importance of travelers complying with regulations and reporting any amount exceeding $10,000, whether in cash, checks, or other monetary instruments, when entering or leaving the United States.

Source: En Línea BC