Feds find $165k stashed in stuffed animals near RGC

February 17, 2011 10:13 PM
Jared Taylor
The Monitor

NEAR RIO GRANDE CITY — Federal agents busted a Mexican national caught with guns, ammo and more than $165,000 hidden inside stuffed animals.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents received a tip Monday of a stash house at 135 La Carla Road, north of Rio Grande City, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

Agents alongside local authorities received consent to search the property from Minerva Portillo Rodriguez, who said she owned the property, the complaint states.

Her husband, Jesus Portillo Torres, came to the property after agents arrived, saying he had three weapons and about $8,000 in cash with him.

Portillo, who allegedly presented a fake Texas driver’s license to an agent, was arrested after agents found two stuffed animals and a video camera case filled with $165,730 in cash, the complaint states.

Agents said they also found a .357-caliber pistol atop a cabinet, a Marlin .22-caliber rifle under a bed and a Sterling Arms .32 special semi-automatic pistol hidden in a laundry room. Also recovered were 223 rounds of ammo.

Agents also found items typically used to repackage marijuana, including vacuum sealer bags and packing tape, the complaint states.

Agents arrested Portillo, an illegal immigrant who had been arrested by federal authorities five times in the past. His border crossing card was revoked in July 2008 after he told authorities he lived in Rio Grande City with his wife.

http://www.themonitor.com/news/rgc-4721 ... s-rio.html