MEXICO: Federal authorities are seeking a search warrant on the cell phone of a San Benito man accused of trying to smuggle more than $217,000 into Mexico.
Authorities believe if they get access to 71-year-old Vicente Blanco’s cell phone records, they will be able to track down the person or people who said they would pay Blanco if he crossed the money, court documents state.
Blanco told federal officers that he wanted to pay for his daughter’s quinceañera, so he agreed to cross more than $217,000 from the United States into Mexico on June 12.
While it is not a crime to carry more than $10,000, not declaring the money when entering or leaving the U.S. is a federal offense.
According to the affidavit for the search warrant, a man identified as “Marcos” phoned Blanco and asked him to drive a vehicle into Matamoros. Blanco was told he would be paid enough money to pay for his daughter’s quinceañera and get some dental work the San Benito man needed, the affidavit stated. The call made to Blanco was from a Florida telephone number.
Blanco drove the vehicle across the Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge, but Mexican customs officials didn’t allow him to continue because the vehicle had temporary Florida license plates, documents state. He was sent back to the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspected the 1999 Dodge Caravan that Blanco was driving and found 10 bundles of cash totaling $215,800 hidden inside the vehicle. The officers also searched Blanco and found $1,817 on him. A total of $217,617 was found in his possession, court records show.
During questioning Blanco admitted to CBP officers that he knew there was contraband inside the vehicle and that he suspected it was money, the affidavit stated. Blanco also said he had heard rumors the money belonged to the Gulf Cartel, according to the document.
