Man Smuggled Currency to Pay for Quinceanera
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A federal complaint says a South Texas man attempted to smuggle more than $200,000 in currency into Mexico in exchange for a payment that would cover his daughter's quinceanera.
The criminal complaint says Vicente Blanco on June 12 attempted to cross into Mexico but was denied entry. His minivan was searched when he then tried to re-enter the U.S.
Authorities say 10 bundles of money totaling more than $215,000 were found concealed in the vehicle.
He was told his payment to transport the currency would pay for his daughter's coming-of-age celebration. The complaint didn't make clear who told him it would be covered.
Blanco is on probation for a 2012 conviction for smuggling currency.
The attorney representing Blanco, Hector Casas, did not immediately respond to a call for comment.
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