Woman Pleads Guilty in Cash Smuggling Case

Updated: Saturday, 18 Jun 2011, 1:56 PM MST
Published : Saturday, 18 Jun 2011, 1:56 PM MST

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A Mexican citizen has pleaded guilty in federal court to smuggling $937,000 in cash from the U.S. into Mexico.

The U.S. Attorney's office said 25-year-old Judith Angelica Ayala-Partida also agreed to forfeit the money she attempted to smuggle.

Agents working the Nogales port-of-entry last November used a money-sniffing dog to recover 10 packages stuffed with cash concealed in a quarter panel of a car.

Ayala-Partida was originally charged with violating bulk cash smuggling statutes.

Federal law requires anyone transporting more than $10,000 in or out of the United States to file a report with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury's office.

A conviction for smuggling bulk cash carries a five year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, or both.

Ayala-Partida is set for sentencing in October.

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