US agents arrest 3 for cash smuggling in PR

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- U.S. agents say they caught three men trying to fly out of Puerto Rico with $230,000 hidden in their luggage.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents discovered the money while searching their bags. The men allegedly denied carrying more than $10,000. Now they face charges of cash smuggling. It is a federal offense not to declare currency worth $10,000 or more when leaving or entering the United States or its territories.

The customs agency said Thursday that Martires Ortega, Carlos Alfredo Torres, and Ezequiel Arroyo were all Dominicans headed to the Dominican Republic.

It was the second big money bust this week in Puerto Rico. On Monday, agents arrested another Dominican who allegedly tried to smuggle out $152,321.