United States v. $173,081.04 in U.S. Currency

EDITH H. JONES, Circuit Judge:

Claimants appeal the district court’s judgment that they must forfeit $194,-209.04 for violating the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, 31 U.S.C. § 5311 et seq. Although the result in this case is undeniably harsh, as are most forfeiture actions, we are constrained to affirm with a modification.

FACTS

Raul Arvizo-Morales is an employee at Casa de Cambio Juarez, a monetary exchange business located in Juarez, Mexico. On April 23, 1986, Arvizo-Morales completed Customs Form 4790, Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary…