Cross-border currency smuggling vexes CBP

Cross-border currency smuggling vexes CBP    A congressional watchdog agency said U.S. Customs and Border Protection still has a way to go to implement programs that more effectively stem the flow of cross-border currency smuggling.
   In March 2009, CBP formed an outbound enforcement program specifically aimed at stopping the flow of bulk cash leaving the country via travelers and cargo. Under the program, the agency inspects both travelers and cargo crossing the Southwest land border ports. Along the northern border, inspections are conducted at the discretion of the port director.
   According to the Government Accountability Office's report, from March 2009 to June 2010, CBP seized about $41 million in illicit bulk cash leaving the country at land border ports. It's estimated, however, that criminals smuggle $18 billion to $39 billion a year in bulk cash across the Southwest border alone.
   The GAO noted that significant challenges remain for CBP to detect bulk cash, including limited technology, infrastructure and procedures to support this outbound operation.
   'CBP is in the early phases of this program and has not yet taken some actions to gain a better understanding of how well the program is working, such as gathering data for measuring program costs and benefits,' GAO said. 'By gathering data for measuring expected program costs and benefits, CBP could be in a better position to weigh the costs of any proposed expansion of the outbound inspection program against likely outcomes.'
   CBP concurred with these recommendations, GAO said.