Quito, Ecuador: Suspect Leaving Country With $132,600 Freed by Judge

According to ElComercio.com this morning, July 6th, a criminal court judge freed the foreigner who tried to leave Ecuador with $132,600 yesterday afternoon. Abel M, 23 years old, was arrested by narcotics agents yesterday, trying to leave the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito. Abel was arrested while waiting for a 2 p.m. international flight from Quito-Panama-Mexico, officials say. Officials add that the money was not presented to customs officials. During the hearing today, the prosecutor mentioned that Abel was suspected of money laundering in the past. Officials recovered a double bottom briefcase, the money seized, two notebooks and personal documents in the operation. Court officials say the judge freed the suspect since police could not prove that the money was part of an illicit transaction. Abel cannot leave the country while an investigation of the money is continuing.Read Article