2 Dominicans detained at MIA for trying to smuggle nearly $200,000 on plane, feds say

Javier Santos Castillo, 42, allegedly claimed to only have $1,000 in cash

MIAMI – Two men were arrested Monday after one of them tried to board a flight to the Dominican Republic with nearly $200,000 in cash, authorities said.

Javier Enrique Santos Castillo, 42, and David Hernandez Guirola, 44, both of the Dominican Republic, are charged with conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling.

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According to federal prosecutors, Castillo and Guirola were detained at the airport while Castillo was trying to board an American Airlines flight to Santo Domingo and Guirola was trying to board a flight to LaGuardia Airport in New York.

While being questioned by Customs and Border Protection officers, Castillo claimed he was only carrying $1,000 for his friend, Guirola.

Authorities said Guirola also claimed that his friend was taking $1,000 from him to the Dominican Republic. However, officers found 17 envelopes in Castillo’s clothing, containing $69,000, and another 13 envelopes in his luggage, containing $122,340, prosecutors said.

Federal travel restrictions require passengers traveling abroad to report if they are in possession of more than $10,000 in cash. 

If convicted, Castillo and Guirola face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and forfeiture of the seized cash.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.