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  4. Border Patrol Arrests Man with $830K Stashed in Dashboard

Border Patrol Arrests Man with $830K Stashed in Dashboard

Release Date
Thu, 07/03/2014

TEMECULA, Calif.—U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a man Tuesday who had hidden large quantities of cash behind his SUV’s dashboard.

The incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. when agents patrolling Interstate 15 stopped a 2010 Dodge Journey.  The 54-year old Mexican national driver was unable to answer routine questions consistently. 

A K-9 sniff of the man’s vehicle resulted in a positive alert, agents then brought the vehicle to the I-15 checkpoint to conduct a more thorough search.  At the checkpoint, agents put the vehicle on a lift and discovered a hidden compartment behind the dashboard.  The compartment contained 61 bundles of cash.

In total, the bundles contained $830,060 in U.S. currency.  The man was arrested and charged with bulk cash smuggling.  Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the suspect and the money.  The vehicle was 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 away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021