A former federal immigration agent has pleaded guilty to helping smuggle more than US$2.4 million in cash into the US from the Dominican Republic.
Court records show 44-year-old Luis De Jesus Alonzo Jr faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty late last week to a bulk smuggling charge. Alonzo resigned September 6 as a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer.
Prosecutors said in a news release Monday that Alonzo and two others arrived in June at Miami International Airport from the Dominican Republic with seven pieces of luggage. Investigators found cash hidden in diapers, baby wipes and other items.
Alonzo had filled out a form declaring the luggage did not contain more than $10,000, the threshold for travellers entering the US to report money to authorities.