May 25, 2007

ICE nabs two for money laundering narcotics proceeds
Suitcase containing over $775,000 in cash seized in Weehawken

Weehawken, N.J.- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents today announced the arrests of two persons charged for allegedly laundering over $775,000 in cash proceeds from illegal narcotics sales, in violation of Title 18 of United States Code (USC), Section 1956.

On May 24, 2007, special agents from the ICE office of investigations in Newark, New Jersey arrested Everardo Antonio Munoz, 46 years-old, a Columbian national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, and Lilian Munoz, 43 years-old and a U.S. citizen, at Munoz's residence in Weehawken, New Jersey. In addition to the arrests, $775,636 in cash was seized.

According to court documents, On May 24 Everardo Munoz was allegedly observed leaving a residence in Weehawken, New Jersey with a large, black duffle bag. When ICE agents subsequently stopped Munoz, he disclaimed ownership of the bag, which was found to contain $390,000 in cash. ICE special agents and Hudson County Prosecutors Office detectives conducted a consent search of the Munoz residence, uncovering an additional $378,550 in U.S. currency, wrapped in rubber bands.

Also found were a notebook that appeared to be records of money laundering transactions, a prepaid cellular phone, and an additional $5,057 in currency wrapped in rubber bands. The cellular phone received calls from phone numbers listed in the notebook at pre-stated times.

"Seizing large cash payments such as this is a vital part of our nation's fight to stop illegal drugs, preventing drug traffickers from realizing profits, and siphoning off ill-gotten gains that fuel more drugs from entering the United States," said Kyle Hutchins, special agent in charge for ICE's Office of Investigations in Newark. "ICE's unique investigative authority allows our special agents to track down the drug traffickers, and roll-up money laundering syndicates to substantially stem the flow of drug money to other nations involved in the drug trade."

In fiscal year 2006, ICE initiated more than 3,970 financial investigations that resulted in the seizure of roughly $137 million in currency and monetary instruments, as well as the arrest of 1,262 individuals, 936 indictments, and 940 convictions.

The subjects are scheduled to appear in US District Court in Newark on May 25, 2007

-- ICE --