Contraband and Tax Lawyers
The US-Mexico border at Tijuana is one of the busiest in the world. Over 50 million people cross the border each year for both recreation and business. Since the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the border has become a dominant commercial hub in the region.
The renowned natural beauty of the San Diego-Tijuana region is yet another reason why millions of tourists cross the border. As the second-most visited city in the Western hemisphere, thousands of people go back and forth between the two countries each day.
Trusted Legal Expertise at the Tijuana Border
Despite the frequency of travel, border control laws in Tijuana are quite strict about the movement of money. Bringing more than ten thousand dollars in cash or receivables to Tijuana without declaring it to the authorities may constitute a violation or a crime, depending on the amount omitted. If you haven’t gotten official forms approved by the Tax Administration Service, the infraction is punishable by a fine of 20% to 40% of the amount.
Apart from money laundering charges, the crime may also be assimilated or equated to smuggling, which is punishable by imprisonment.
If you’ve been detained by the authorities for traveling into Mexico with money or receivables worth more the US$ 10,000, it’s best to reach out to an experienced criminal tax lawyer. At Meneses Legal, we’re well-versed in Mexican laws and Californian laws surrounding border control and movement of money. Use your right to a tax attorney and get Fabian Meneses on your side immediately.
How Can Attorney Fabian Meneses and his team Help?
Apart from the movement of money, authorities at the Tijuana border may also detain, search, arrest, and charge you for the following:
- Drug Possession or Transportation
- Introduction of Narcotics into Mexico
- Possession of Firearms or Ammunition
- Concealed Introduction of Firearms into Mexico
However, the good news is that there are laws protecting people that cross the border from unnecessary review or detainment at Mexican Customs.
For instance, when passing through customs, everyone has to go through the famous fiscal traffic light, which is the system used to determine if the goods brought in will be reviewed or verified. Those who get a red light will undergo customs recognition, which implies that the goods in their luggage will be checked. However, those who get the green light, or free withdrawal, should not be subjected to any review and may leave the tax precinct without any major problems.
If the customs authority detains an individual who got a green light for a customs review, it can be considered illegal as this violates the person’s rights. No customs authority can break this rule arbitrarily. If this does happen, it may result in the annulment of the procedure against the individual and, where appropriate, the annulment of the embargo on the merchandise.
Since many people are unaware of customs laws and rights, they might not know that they are being held illegally. In this case, the criminal defense tax attorneys and contraband law experts at Meneses Legal are here to help you.
Getting arrested anywhere is scary, but when it’s at customs in another country, it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Reach out to criminal tax attorney Fabian Meneses at Meneses Legal today for unparalleled expertise. Call us at (664)500-6896 in Tijuana or (619)777-86 or (664)500-689627 in San Diego to get started.