United States v. Lopez-Burgos

HOWARD, Circuit Judge.

In early April 2003, federal and Puerto Rico law enforcement officials exercised their authority under the Shippers Export Declaration guidelines, see 15 C.F.R. Part 30, to examine a parcel shipped from New York City to a FedEx station within the Commonwealth. The shipping manifest stated that the parcel contained a “scrap book, color and photo paper.” The shipper was identified as John Ramirez, 308 Canal Street, New York, and the addressee as Roberto López Burgos of San Juan.

The parcel in fact contained nearly $220,000 in $20 bills. The investigating agents permitted…