After an at-sea interdiction, U.S. prosecutors are seeking asset forfeiture of a 26- foot yola (boat) and the nearly $1.7 million on board alleged to be undeclared currency hidden in two suitcases and a small bag. The captain of the yola was Sergeant Juan Quinones-Rosario of the Police of Puerto Rico and its crew member was an Aguada, Puerto Rico restauranteur, Raul Bosques-Caro.
The sergeant and restauranteur were reportedly on one of two yolas traveling on July 20, 2009, towards the Dominican Republic from Aguada, Puerto Rico. The yolas had been spotted in international waters by patrol aircraft and were ultimately searched by federal agents. Given the discovery of the alleged undeclared cash on the yola, the sergeant and restauranteur are both facing prosecution in U.S.A. v. Bosques-Caro, et. al. 3:09-cr-00246.
Their three-count indictment in Bosques-Caro, alleges violations of 31 U.S.C. §§5316(a) (1) (A) (Reports on exporting and importing monetary instruments); 5332 (a) & (b) (Bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States); and 18 U.S.C. §2 (Principals). Asset forfeiture of $1,694,139.00 and the yola, is now being sought under 31 U.S.C. §§5317 (c) (1) (Search and forfeiture of monetary instruments) and 5332 (b) (2). Along with a criminal complaint, a Special Agent’s supporting affidavit had also been initially filed in the case.
Copyright 2009 Fred L. Abrams