Originally Posted by remyontheroad
Exactly.
I've always suspected that no one really thinks that it's going to stop people from doing what they're doing if they are determined. I see it more like income tax (a la Al Capone). It's another tool to assist in prosecution.
A "structuring charge" of 2-5% is well possible; and it is well within the range of what organized crime pays to launder money and/or distribute proceeds in many parts of the world.
These $10,000 restrictions don't do a whole lot when it comes to the "war on drugs"; and they are a drop in the bucket when it comes to criminal proceeds. Drugs- and criminal proceeds-related prosecutions that rely upon a $10,001-$25,000 on-departure bust (which is generally the range of what is found
and seized by the CBP from individual passengers at airports) are mostly a waste of prosecutorial resources if being used as a primary charge (in the way of your income tax mention). [That's not to say it's not worth CBP's effort, especially since they frequently squat, and successfully so, on funds -- even funds not related to more serious crime (than an export control on money violation).