May 02, 2009 Laredo, Texas
$302,875 US dollars found inside three boxes of detergent at border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents conducting outbound operations encountered some detergent boxes that were "green" not for their low environmental impact, but for their hidden contents, $302,875 in undeclared currency.

The seizure occurred on Saturday, May 2, at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge. Border Patrol agents and CBP officers conducting southbound inspections referred a 2001 Chevy Suburban driven by a 28-year-old Mexican national from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, for a secondary inspection. The driver gave a false declaration for currency in excess of $10,000, weapons or ammunition. During an inspection of groceries in the vehicle, CBP Currency Canine, Aras, alerted to the odor of currency emanating from three boxes of detergent. A non-intrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies within the three boxes. A closer visual inspection of the boxes revealed 12 bags of U.S. currency. The bags contained a total of $302,875 in undeclared U.S. currency. No immediate arrest was made, but an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents continues. CBP officers seized the vehicle.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection