Mayra Alejandra Marín Uribe, a Colombian national, was arrested on Saturday night January 20 at El Salvador International Airport on her way to her country of origin, said the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Gustavo Villatoro.
According to the official, the detainee hid $169,900 in cash in his luggage; in El Salvador it is legal to travel with up to $10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, otherwise he must declare it to the Directorate General of Customs.
Money hidden in the luggage of a Colombian traveler. Photo: courtesy/ Gustavo Villatoro
In addition, investigations carried out by the National Civil Police (PNC) tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine for the Colombian woman, and will be prosecuted for money laundering and assets.
Villatoro pointed out that the traveler came from Guatemala and his final destination was Colombia. “We remain firm and forceful in the fight against drug trafficking and we will not allow any kind of illegal act,” the minister said.
This article has been translated from the original which first appeared in La Prensa Grafica