FEBRUARY 20, 2008 Buffalo, New York
Melinda Diaz arrested on federal bulk currency smuggling
Melinda Diaz arrested on federal bulk currency smuggling
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the arrest of a
United States citizen who attempted to smuggle $29,100 into the
United States.
On February 20, CBP officers encountered Melinda Diaz, a 32-year-
old U.S. citizen from East Elmhurst, N.Y. as she applied for
admission into the United States. Diaz was a passenger aboard a
commercial bus that entered the United States at the Peace Bridge
border crossing in Buffalo.
Diaz, who was traveling with her husband and another friend,
advised CBP officers that they were vacationing in Canada but
returned early because she was suffering from a toothache. All
three subjects were referred to CBP for a secondary enforcement
exam. During the course of the inspection, both Diaz and her
husband each claimed to be in possession of less than $10,000 in U.
S. dollars. Diaz claimed to have $91.00 and her husband and the
friend each claimed to have $8,000.
A search of Diaz‘s purse revealed $1,800. A further inspection of
Diaz revealed $9,700 hidden in her groin area. Diaz’s husband was
found to have $9,000 in his pants pocket and an additional $8,600
was found in a backpack belonging to the friend. An interview by
CBP officers and agents from Immigration and Customs
Enforcement revealed that the currency found on all three subjects
belonged to Diaz and that the money was divided to avoid the
currency reporting laws.
The law requires any individual who is transporting, attempts or
causes to transport currency or other monetary instruments in an
aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (U.S. funds or its foreign
equivalent) at one time from the United States to any foreign place,
or into the United States from any foreign place, must file a report
with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CBP seized the currency, which totaled $29,100. Diaz was arrested
on federal charges of bulk currency smuggling and turned over to
agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further
investigation and potential prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
United States citizen who attempted to smuggle $29,100 into the
United States.
On February 20, CBP officers encountered Melinda Diaz, a 32-year-
old U.S. citizen from East Elmhurst, N.Y. as she applied for
admission into the United States. Diaz was a passenger aboard a
commercial bus that entered the United States at the Peace Bridge
border crossing in Buffalo.
Diaz, who was traveling with her husband and another friend,
advised CBP officers that they were vacationing in Canada but
returned early because she was suffering from a toothache. All
three subjects were referred to CBP for a secondary enforcement
exam. During the course of the inspection, both Diaz and her
husband each claimed to be in possession of less than $10,000 in U.
S. dollars. Diaz claimed to have $91.00 and her husband and the
friend each claimed to have $8,000.
A search of Diaz‘s purse revealed $1,800. A further inspection of
Diaz revealed $9,700 hidden in her groin area. Diaz’s husband was
found to have $9,000 in his pants pocket and an additional $8,600
was found in a backpack belonging to the friend. An interview by
CBP officers and agents from Immigration and Customs
Enforcement revealed that the currency found on all three subjects
belonged to Diaz and that the money was divided to avoid the
currency reporting laws.
The law requires any individual who is transporting, attempts or
causes to transport currency or other monetary instruments in an
aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (U.S. funds or its foreign
equivalent) at one time from the United States to any foreign place,
or into the United States from any foreign place, must file a report
with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CBP seized the currency, which totaled $29,100. Diaz was arrested
on federal charges of bulk currency smuggling and turned over to
agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further
investigation and potential prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: US Customs
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