Texas authorities caught a Gulf Cartel operative while transporting hundreds of thousands of dollars across the state.
Concretely, the man was stopped by authorities while speeding through Kingsville. "While speaking to the vehicle's occupants, the agent believed some type of criminal activity was occurring," said the Kleberg County Attorney's Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force in a statement.
Authorities then proceeded to ask permission to search the car, a petition agreed to by the driver, Francisco Javier Montalvo. Agents then found over $360,000 hidden under the back seat. The money was divided in bundles wrapped in clear green plastic.
Montalvo said he knew the money belonged to the Gulf Cartel because he had taken part in such an operation in the past. Back then it was picked up by "unknown subjects in a pickup truck that said 'Cartel de Golfo' on the side."
The man also detailed that he traveled to Houston and stayed in a hotel, leaving the car keys in the truck. Then someone hid the money there. Montalvo said he was taking the money across the border to Reynosa, and that he would be paid $3,000 for the job. He said he did not intend to declare he was transporting such an amount even though anyone who crosses the border with more than $10,000 in cash is required to do so.
Montalvo has been charged with bulk cash smuggling, which is a federal felony. He could spend up to five years in prison if convicted.
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