January 03, 2008

ICE seizes more than $41,000 and arrests a woman for bulk cash smuggling

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents arrested a woman earlier this week who attempted to leave the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport without declaring excess currency in the amount of $41,976.

The U.S. currency was hidden in the luggage that Elizabeth Mayers, 44, checked-in for a trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"Bulk cash smuggling is a serious crime," said Manuel Oyola Torres, Special Agent-in-Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. "Those who think that our ports are easy transshipment points for contraband are mistaken. ICE, along with our Department of Homeland Security partners, will continue using our unique authorities to enforce our immigration and customs laws."

Mayers was charged with bulk cash smuggling and failure to declare an amount of money exceeding $10,000.

She was transferred to the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center where she is awaiting the outcome of her case.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico accepted this case for prosecution.

The ICE investigation into this case is ongoing.

If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Mayers is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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