Border Patrol Agents Intercept Man with Large Stash of Cash at I-5 Checkpoint

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a man at the Interstate 5 checkpoint last week for smuggling nearly $300,000 in cash.

At approximately 6 p.m., agents monitoring traffic near the checkpoint observed a suspicious 1998 Toyota Camry.  Agents initiated a vehicle stop and questioned the 19-year-old male U.S. citizen driver.  A K-9 concurrently performed a vehicle sniff, resulting in a positive alert. 

Agents escorted the man and his vehicle back to the San Clemente Station where members of the California National Guard conducted a non-intrusive inspection of the vehicle with an imaging detection system.  Anomalies were detected in the trunk of the vehicle, which was filled with baby supplies and large detergent boxes.  Agents opened the boxes and discovered 28 bundles of U.S. currency, which amounted to $291,210.

The man, the currency, and vehicle were turned over to agents from Homeland Security Investigations.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

—U.S. Border Patrol