More than $50,000 was found in a box of laundry detergent after officials said, a Mexican resident was attempting to smuggle this unreported currency on Monday.

Around 5 a.m., a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina attempted to enter Mexico from the Bridge of the Americas international crossing. Agents stopped the vehicle and conducted an exam. 

They found that a box of laundry detergent had been tampered with and was carrying five vacuum-sealed bags with currency hidden inside, officials said. The total amount of currency was $52,072.

"Every dollar that we seize is one less dollar available for criminal organizations to further their illicit activities," said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso port director. "The persistent presence of CBP officers and Border Patrol agents checking the flow of southbound goods and people are generating important enforcement activity regularly."

The 36-year-old driver, Edgar Lopez Chavez, was arrested and faces federal prosecution. Chavez was a Mexican citizen residing in Aurora, Colo. 

People are allowed to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments in or out of the U.S., but if it is over $10,000, it must be formally reported, officials said.

Failure to do so may result in a seizure of the currency and/or arrest.

Violators can petition for the return of the seized currency if the petitioner can prove that the source and intended use was legitimate.