Suspect says he was told to leave SUV with cash in Juárez

By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 02/29/2008 12:00:00 AM MST

The man caught at the border allegedly smuggling nearly $2 million in cash on Monday had been instructed to drop his cargo at a Juárez mall, court documents obtained Thursday showed.

The plan fell apart for Saul Sanchez, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., who drove a currency-laden Ford Expedition from Kansas to the Bridge of the Americas.

First, he was was denied entry to Mexico because his vehicle did not have the proper permits, according to a court affidavit. Sanchez had to turn around and head back into the U.S.

When he tried to re-enter the U.S., Customs and Border Protection officers found the money stashed inside the panels of all four doors and the rear cargo door. Sanchez was arrested and charged with bulk cash smuggling.