3 charged with attempting to smuggle $184K in cash into Matamoros

Two Matamoros residents and a Brownsville man are under arrest after authorities followed them from a residence to the B&M International Bridge where they were found with $184,095 in cash destined for cartel members.

Alejandro Alonso Sauceda, born in 1992, Angelica Rodriguez Gonzalez, 33, both of Matamoros, and Brownsville resident Trinidad Conde Vela, born in 1969, were arrested Friday and are charged with attempting to evade currency reporting requirements, according to criminal complaints.

They were arrested after Homeland Security Investigations and Texas Department of Public Safety special agents watched Conde Vela at approximately 9 p.m. leave the residence in Brownsville and travel to R’s Super Station at 55 Kee St. and then back to his residence.

The special agents then observed Saucedo Garcia and Rodriguez Gonzalez arrive at his residence in a red Fiat at approximately 9:43 p.m.

They remained in the driveway for about four minutes and then were followed as they drove to the international bridge.

There, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found Rodriguez Gonzalez with approximately $30,000 around her waistband and additional currency hidden in the Fiat’s dashboard, according to the complaint.

After their arrest, they both admitted to picking up bulk currency hidden in a suitcase from Conde Vela.

A search of their cellphones revealed communication with an unknown individual that was indicative of bulk cash smuggling.

“Furthermore, Saucedo Garcia described and identified Conde Vela as the individual he has received bulk cash from approximately six times prior,” the complaint stated. “Saucedo Garcia admitted that the money was going to coconspirators involved with the cartel in Mexico.”

Conde Vela was arrested at his residence and declined to speak with investigators.

All three made first appearances in Brownsville federal court Monday morning in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt.

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