21-year-old man caught with $29K in cash at Highway 86 checkpoint

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrest a Mexican national possessing $29,060 of U.S. currency

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A 21-year-old man with a valid Border Crossing Card was arrested by El Centro Sector Border agents and possessed over $29,000 on Wednesday.

Around 5:40 p.m., a grey 2014 Toyota Corolla stopped at the Highway 86 checkpoint and the driver was displaying erratic behavior, the agents told him to pull over to secondary inspection.

After inspection and as the driver exited the vehicle, he was seen with bulky pockets and was asked to empty them.

The driver had bundles of cash wrapped with a rubber band and was possessing about $29,060 in U.S. currency.

The 21-year-old man is a Mexican national and was crossing into the U.S. through the Calexico (East) Port of Entry and did not declare the amount of money to the immigration officer.

The driver was arrested and will be federally charged for Unlicensed Money Transmitting Service and Bulk Cash Smuggling,

Their Border Crossing Card will be cancelled and the driver will be removed from the U.S.