Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070621puertorico1.htm
June 21, 2007
Dominican citizen attempting to conceal $25K arrested in Puerto Rico by ICE
MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico— A 39-year-old Dominican citizen who attempted to leave the Mayaguez Seaport without declaring excess currency in the amount of approximately $25,000 was arrested here Wednesday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents.
ICE worked jointly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify Maria Elena Jimenez who attempted to circumvent U.S. laws by lying to CBP inspectors. Jimenez, who was traveling from Mayaguez to the Dominican Republic, informed CBP inspectors at pre-clearance that she only had $3,000 to declare.
Further inspection revealed that Jimenez was traveling with approximately $25,000 concealed in her luggage.
ICE special agents charged Jimenez for failure to report U.S. currency in excess of $10,000 in violation of Title 31, United States Code (USC), Section 5316. The case has been accepted for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Those who think that they can circumvent our laws undetected must think twice,” said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. “ICE and CBP will continue working as a team to identify and arrest those who attempt to break our laws.”
Jimenez is in U.S. Marshal’s custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico awaiting the outcome of her case.
The ICE investigation into this case is ongoing. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
— ICE —
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070621sanjuan.htm
June 21, 2007
Woman attempting to smuggle more than 3 kilos of cocaine into the U.S. arrested by ICE in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—A 46-year-old woman who attempted to smuggle approximately 3.59 kilograms of cocaine into the United States was arrested Friday at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents acting on a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) lead.
Beatrice West Viola arrived in San Juan from Dominica and was referred to a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The inspection revealed that she was carrying approximately 3.59 kilograms of cocaine wrapped around her waist and thighs.
“It is very sad to see to what lengths drug smugglers will go to evade detection,” said Manuel Oyola Torres, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Puerto Rico. “Smugglers seeking to bring their drugs into our community must think twice. You will be found and arrested.”
West Viola was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo where she is awaiting the outcome of her case.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood.
The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— ICE —