Gulf Cartel smuggler caught with more than $360,000

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man who transported cash for the Gulf Cartel was caught speeding through Kingsville on Thursday with more than $360,000, according to the criminal complaint against him.

At 12:21 p.m. on Thursday, the Kleberg County Attorney’s Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force stopped a white Kia SUV for speeding on U.S. 77.

“While speaking to the vehicle’s occupants, the agent believed some type of criminal activity was occurring,” according to a statement the Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force posted on Facebook.

Members of the Kleberg County Attorney's Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force pose for a photo after they seized $360,565. (Photo courtesy of the Kleberg County Attorney's Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force via Facebook.)

Agents requested permission to search the SUV. The driver, Francisco Javier Montalvo, agreed.

During the search, agents discovered $360,565 hidden under the back seat. The cash had been wrapped in clear green plastic.

When agents questioned Montalvo, he said the money belonged to the Gulf Cartel.

Montalvo said “he knows this because when he turned over the money in Mexico last time, it was picked up by unknown subject(s) in a pickup truck that said ‘Cartel de Golfo’ on the side,” according to the criminal complaint.

During the interview, Montalvo said he traveled to Houston and stayed in a hotel.

Montalvo left the keys in the SUV when he arrived in Houston, according to the criminal complaint.

Someone picked up the SUV, placed the money in a hidden compartment and returned the SUV to the hotel parking lot.

Montalvo said he was taking the cash to Reynosa, according to the criminal complaint, and would be paid $3,000 for transporting the money.

Anyone who crosses the border with more than $10,000 in cash is required to report the money and fill out a form.

The cash had been wrapped in clear, green plastic. (Photo courtesy of the Kleberg County Attorney's Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force via Facebook.)

Montalvo, though, said “he did not declare the money to Customs the first time,” according to the criminal complaint, “and he had no intention of declaring it to Customs this time either.”

The Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force contacted Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

HSI charged Montalvo with bulk cash smuggling, a federal felony. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in federal prison.

Court records don’t list a lawyer for Montalvo, who remained in jail Sunday and couldn’t be reached for comment.