Mexico City – The U.S. ambassador to Mexico on Thursday praised Mexican law enforcement for a record amount of illegal-cash seizures, most tied to drug trafficking.
Mexican law enforcement officials, who received training from U.S. authorities, have seized more than US$56 million (euro44 million) and arrested over 70 currency smugglers, according to a news release from the U.S. Embassy.
” By Investigating and Preventing These Forms Of Commercial fraud and smuggling, U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officers are hitting criminals where it hurts the most: the money they earn by harming others,” said Ambassador Tony Garza at a ceremony to honor more than 90 law enforcement officials.
Last year, agents inside the cargo area at Mexico City’s airport discovered nearly US$8 million (euro6.5 million) in cash tucked inside four boxes that were scheduled to be loaded aboard a flight to Colombia.
The mountain of bills totaled about US$7.8 million (euro6.3 million), constituting the largest cash seizure in the history of the capital’s Benito Juarez International Airport.
In another case, agents found nearly US$1 million (euro790,000) hidden inside chile pepper cans.
