A 19-year-old Mexican man who claimed to only have $4 on him has been indicted on federal currency smuggling charges after being caught trying to sneak nearly $40,000 in cash out of the country.
Josue Tamayo-Toledo was arrested Dec. 28 at the Grand Avenue Port of Entry in Nogales as he attempted to enter Mexico, according to documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tucson.
Tamayo-Toledo said he only had $4 when asked by customs officials if he had any cash to declare, but an inspection of his belongings found $39,150 concealed in an aluminum can he was carrying, court records show.
Tamayo-Toledo told authorities he was being paid $1,000 to smuggle the money into Mexico, according to court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 11.
Border officials: Teen caught with nearly $40K inside aluminum can
Josue Tamayo-Toledo was arrested Dec. 28 at the Grand Avenue Port of Entry in Nogales as he attempted to enter Mexico, according to documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tucson.
Tamayo-Toledo said he only had $4 when asked by customs officials if he had any cash to declare, but an inspection of his belongings found $39,150 concealed in an aluminum can he was carrying, court records show.
Tamayo-Toledo told authorities he was being paid $1,000 to smuggle the money into Mexico, according to court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 11.
Border officials: Teen caught with nearly $40K inside aluminum can
