http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/257944

Man gets 2 years for trying to smuggle $484K

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.17.2008
A 39-year-old Mexican man was sentenced to two years in federal prison after trying to smuggle almost $500,000 into Mexico in November 2007.
Alejandro Ugarte-Sabino of Sonora was sentenced Friday by a U.S. District Court judge.
He was caught at the Nogales, Ariz., port of entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials who were conducting a routine inspection, according to a press release from the office of the U.S. attorney.
Ugarte-Sabino was traveling into Mexico when officials asked him if he had any items to declare and advised him of a reporting requirement for currency in excess of $10,000, the press release said.
He denied having any currency to report, but the officials noticed suspicious behavior and searched his vehicle.
The inspection revealed multiple containers that concealed a total of $484,750 in U.S. currency. Ugarte-Sabino admitted he was paid to take the money into Mexico.
Ugarte-Sabino pleaded guilty in May.
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