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  4. Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $1.5 Million on I-5

Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $1.5 Million on I-5

Release Date
Tue, 01/28/2014

San Clemente, Calif.In two separate events, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two foreign nationals with large quantities of concealed bulk cash.

The first event occurred Friday at 4:30 p.m., when an Uzbekistan national, who is a permanent U.S. resident, arrived at the San Clemente checkpoint driving a commercial truck.  The 27-year-old man was hauling five used cars on a trailer.  The man was referred to secondary, where a K-9 performed a cursory inspection resulting in a positive alert.  California Army National Guard members, operating an x-ray system, detected anomalies in two Acura MDXs.  Agents searched those vehicles and discovered false compartments in their rear bumpers.  The compartments were filled with 49 bundles of cash.  The bundles contained an approximate total of $1,476,245 in U.S. currency.  The cash and two Acuras were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

The second event occurred on Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m., as agents were patrolling I-5.  Agents observed a suspicious vehicle travelling southbound and initiated a vehicle stop.  The 39-year-old Mexican national driver was holding a valid visa.  Agents requested and received permission to search the man’s vehicle.  Upon inspection, agents discovered $49,900 inside a black bag and inside the man’s jacket.  An additional $10,000 was in the man’s pockets.  When questioned, the man stated that the $10K was his, but he did not have a receipt of declaration for bringing the money into the U.S.  He claimed that the other $49,900 did not belong to him and that he did not want to be associated with it.  The driver is being held in Department of Homeland Security custody with removal proceedings pending.  The vehicle and cash were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress near our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021