Crime & Safety

What's $830K in Cash Look Like? Temecula Border Patrol Agents Know

Border Patrol agents working near Temecula found more than $830,000 in cash hidden in a vehicle in a recent stop, according to authorities.

A Mexican national who was allegedly trying to hide more than $830,000 in his vehicle's dashboard is now facing smuggling charges, after a recent seizure by local Border Patrol agents. 
 
It happened July 1, when the man was stopped around 2 p.m. by agents patrolling Interstate 15 near Temecula, according to Mary Beth Caston with the U.S. Border Patrol Information & Communication Division. 
 
When the 54-year-old man "was unable to answer routine questions consistently," a K-9 was brought over to sniff the vehicle, ultimately alerting agents that something was not right, according to Caston.   The 2010 Dodge Journey SUV was then escorted over to the I-15 checkpoint.
 
"At the checkpoint, agents put the vehicle on a lift and discovered a hidden compartment behind the dashboard," she said.  "The compartment contained 61 bundles of cash."

Those 61 bundles contained a total of $830,060 in cash, according to Caston.

"The man was arrested and charged with bulk cash smuggling," she said.  "Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the suspect and the money." 
 
Border Patrol officials seized the vehicle.  
 


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