SINCE 1975
Michael Webster: Publisher & Founder mvwsr@aol.com www.michaelwebster.net In Honor and Memory of Print Founder William C. McGaw . 1914 - 2004. (800) 376-4424 (949) 494-7121
The El Paso Journal On-line News Source Covering the El
Paso/Juarez Metro Borderplex
With streaming live news, & video webcasts!
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Michael Webster: Publisher/Editor. The Journal Family of publications headquartered at 301 Forest Ave. Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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YOUR
SOURCE FOR BREAKING EL PASO NEWSCustoms reported seizing the cash
at 11 a.m. when the Expedition carrying a family
of three entered the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA)
port of entry from Mexico. A CBP officer at the
primary inspection booth noticed that the driver
of the vehicle was nervous during a routine
inspection.
The CBP officer began to search the vehicle using a "Buster" density meter and received high readings consistent with hidden contraband. The CBP officer examined a door more closely and spotted bundles of U.S. currency wrapped in clear plastic tape behind the panel. CBP officers took custody of the driver and continued their inspection of the vehicle. They discovered bundles of currency concealed in all five doors of the vehicle. Denominations discovered included $100’s, $50’s, $20’s, $10’s and $5’s. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested the driver of the vehicle on currency smuggling charges. He is identified as 42-year-old Saul Sanchez, a Mexican citizen residing in Kansas City, Kan. His spouse and their 2-year-old child were released "This is an exceptionally significant currency seizure," said Gene Garza, CBP acting Director of Field Operations in El Paso. "The majority of currency seizures made at this port of entry are of the five figure variety. Taking almost $2 million away from a criminal organization in an instant really hits hard." In what is believed to be the largest currency seizure on record at the El Paso port, officers at BOTA stopped $5,649,760 that was being smuggled out of the country on April 9, 1997. Other large El Paso port of entry currency seizures include $692,543 confiscated at BOTA on July 7, 2003; $559,634 seized at BOTA on April 23, 1993; and $554,143 confiscated at BOTA on Dec. 16, 1993. No more details were available as the investigation continues. The El Paso Journal has learned that an El Paso County sheriff's deputy pulled over a 2000 Freightliner Tractor Trailer on Friday Aug 18, 2008 at I-10 mile marker 45 in the eastern part of EL Paso county. While conducting a search of the trailer he discovered about $1 million in cash. The deputy stopped the tractor-trailer over at about 2:48 p.m. after noticing the vehicle was "weaving in and out of traffic," sheriff's spokesman Rick Glancey said. The deputy requested backup after noticing that the driver of the tractor-trailer was acting suspicious. Another deputy with a police dog responded to the scene, and the dog alerted the deputies to items inside the rig. While examining the tractor-trailer's cargo, deputies discovered several bundles of cash. The name of the driver was withheld. Detectives from the El Paso County Sheriff’s office - Special Operations Division were summoned to the scene. The name of the Hispanic driver (approximately 45 years old) is not being released at this time. An investigation into the discovery of the undeclared cash continues at this time. Detectives are believed to be investigating where the large amount of cash came from. They are looking into the possibility that the money could be related to illegal drugs and/or terrorist activity. The Sheriff's office admits," this is a major case and an ongoing investigation is still underway by the Special Operations Division. Individuals are permitted to carry any amount of currency or monetary instruments into or out of the U.S. However if the quantity is $10,000 or higher, they must formally report the currency to CBP. There was 2,366-pound marijuana seizure also made at the BOTA port of entry Monday. The drugs were discovered in a commercial truck arriving from Mexico shortly after 7 a.m. CBP officers selected a 1993 International tractor towing an unloaded trailer for an x-ray exam. While scanning the vehicle, CBP officers detected an anomaly in the appearance of the trailer floor. CBP drug sniffing dog "Quijote" search and alerted to the floor of the trailer. CBP officers initiated an intensive inspection of the floor and discovered 213 marijuana-filled bundles concealed inside. ICE special agents arrested the driver of the tractor-trailer in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. He is identified as 32-year-old Alberto Piedra Gutierrez of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.
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