Woman accused of trying to smuggle cash into Ariz.
Web Producer: Rikki Mitchell
NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) - Federal authorities say a Mexican woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle almost $146,000 in undeclared cash into Arizona.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say 39-year-old Judith Velarde-Acosta was taken into custody Thursday at the Mariposa Port in Nogales.
Officers conducting outbound inspections selected Velarde-Acosta's vehicle for additional inspection and found 13 packages of currency hidden in a black metal box behind a console panel.
The vehicle and $145,860 in unreported cash were processed for seizure. Authorities say Velarde-Acosta was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities didn't immediately know Friday whether Velarde-Acosta had a lawyer.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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