Customs officers seize $251,000 in alleged money laundering attempt


Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 8:28 p.m.

PHARR -- A Mexico City man is under investigation after being arrested in an alleged money laundering attempt at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reported that they seized $251,000 from two men attempting to cross into Mexico in a Chevy Tahoe on Tuesday.

A statement released on Thursday only identified the driver as a 27-year-old man from Mexico City.

An inspection revealed large amounts of U.S. currency stashed away in several locations:

$130,000 hidden in the vehicle’s tire jack compartment
$14,000 in a personal suitcase
$36,000 concealed in personal clothing
$66,000 in an ice chest

CBP officials said the driver had $5,000 in cash on his person. Officers seized the SUV and the money.

The men were not immediately arrested, but U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are questioning them as part of an ongoing investigation.
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