Posted on 06/03/2011 8:25:09 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
A well-dressed Mexican man checked into the ritzy Westin Oaks Hotel last week, bringing with him a large, black rolling suitcase and a gym bag packed with nearly $1 million in cash.
For at least two days, the man came and went from the Galleria-area hotel room like any tourist, shopping in Houston’s mega-mall, dining in local restaurants and even taking in a movie, authorities said.
All the while, federal agents watched him, acting on a tip that the man was tied into money laundering for a drug trafficking organization.
As he went to check out May 26, federal agents confronted him in the hallway outside his room. They asked him to step into another hotel room where they’d coordinated their stakeout.
The man seemed “shocked,” and complied, bags in tow, said Michael Booker, an assistant special agent in charge with the federal Homeland Security Investigations in Houston. He didn’t act surprised to find the money in the bags, agents said, but he did play dumb rather well.
“He immediately said, ‘I don’t know anything about the money. It was given to me, and I was told to deliver it,’” Booker said.
And, offering agents little to go on, he walked away from the money and the hotel room. Booker said they didn’t have enough to hold the man.
“Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to carry around large sums of money,” Booker said. “We do have laws on the books for bulk-cash smuggling, but you have to meet certain criteria.”
Booker said agents suspect the money was laundered drug proceeds that were headed back to Mexico.
He said the man, who was in the U.S. on a valid visa, said the money was to be delivered to someone in Houston, but didn’t provide information on the drop-off. So HSI agents were left with the luggage, packed tight with $20 and $10 bills, totaling $995,020.
The cash will end up in the National Treasury Forfeiture Fund, which is used to support crime-fighting efforts, said Gregory Palmore, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman.
Booker said HSI agents were taken aback that the man was so casual carrying a million dollars. He had no locks on the luggage, and the cleaning staff came in and out of his room every day, Booker said.
“This was a well-dressed, clean-cut individual staying at a high-end hotel,” Booker said. “You never would have suspected it.”
Look. I know all about how corrupt cops look for search and seizure ways and twist asset forfeiture laws to there advantage (SARC!)
But seriously, I do know how many FReeprs are just way too happy to surrender in the war on drugs and let these millions of dollars funnel back into Mexico so the cartels can continue to wage war on America.
But if we want to take seriously the WOD, then yeah. confiscate this money.
Anyone really wanna tell me this money isn't drug related?
Maybe he works for Bernanke and the magic printing press.
I’d wonder if all the cash was even genuine.
Anyone really wanna tell me this money isn’t drug related? ..................................... If the agents were seen sniffing wads of bills, it might have been. ??
Not that I will ever have anywhere near $1 million in cash to lug around in a carry-on bag, but I find the statement "unfortunately, it's not illegal to carry around large sums of money" from a public official a bit troubling. Logically, this means that hte official believes that it SHOULD BE illegal to carry around large sums of money. This means that there are actually people walking around wasting valuable oxygen who sincerely believe that the government should have the power to tell the people how much cash they can walk around carrying. THAT to me is much more alarming than the possibility that some drug money will find its way back to Mexico.
No one is serious about ever winning the so called WOD. It is better to keep the game going. Not only does it provide for never ending budget outlays for LE but adds the added benefit of money seizures. At least the criminals are honest about what they are doing....breaking the law, providing drugs to the users and all the havoc and violence that goes along with it. The COPS and the authorities are the ones running the scam and allowing it to go on and on.
Thank you for the explanation of how troubling this goon's comment was.
“Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to carry around large sums of money,” Booker said.
When government officers start to admit how they really feel, it is time to be afraid, really afraid.
Anyone really wanna tell me this money isn't drug related?
And, offering agents little to go on, he walked away from the money and the hotel room. Booker said they didn’t have enough to hold the man.
So, they didn't have enough evidence to even HOLD the guy, let alone indict or convict, but you are OK with the confiscation of the money? How much cash should you or I be allowed to carry around before it becomes "too much" or "more than we need" or whatever criteria the government decides sufficient for confiscation with no due process.
You show me 100 people walking around with a million bucks. Heck you show me TEN people with a million dollars in cash - who are not drug runners.
And you think the government is wrong to be suspicious??
Come on. Be honest here. If you think “THAT to me is much more alarming than the possibility that some drug money will find its way back to Mexico”, then why not admit you think we should surrender in the WOD, and just go all Ron Paul regarding crime?
paul51.
No doubt you picked that name after your hero Ron Paul? He too wants to waive the white flag on crime and legalize drugs.
Hoo boy!
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
I can't imagine how anyone could misinterpret the fifth amendment, or any part of the Constitution, for that matter. It's written in plain English. Some "Free"pers can't read, it seems.
I’m wondering how this story would play out in Pima county.
For those in Rio Linda, translation: This boy’s $hit will be dead in 72 hrs. Maybe 48.
Could be a payoff to the Feds.
To me this indicates how LENIENT our drug laws are.
“...they didn’t have enough to hold the man.”
BS. They SHOULD have held the man. Anyone with half a brain knows this Mexican is engaging in crime.
But noooo.. This is just more special treatment for illegal immigrants and Mexican cartels.
It amazes me how so many FReepers can be all anti-illegal immigration, yet pro-cartel - pro-drug law.
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