Posted on 06/23/2005 7:36:33 AM PDT by Quick1
A Quincy woman carrying $46,950 in cash through Logan International Airport claims she was on the way to see a Texas plastic surgeon when federal drug agents seized the money she planned to use for a procedure on her buttocks and breasts. ``The agent looked at my buttocks and told me that I do not need an operation,'' Ileana Valdez, 26, told a federal court yesterday in an affidavit contending she got the cash from selling her Dorchester business and two homes. Valdez claims a male agent from the Drug Enforcement Agency asked her to take off her clothes to show her rear end. She refused but let a female officer examine her.
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``My businesses have all been legitimate. I have often worked two jobs to support myself and my family,'' said the single mother of a 4-year-old son. Her Boston attorney, Tony V. Blaize, said Valdez has no criminal record and may have been unfairly targeted by Drug Enforcement Agents because her passport shows she was born in the Dominican Republic and became a U.S. citizen in 1995. ``It's just sad they can associate money with drugs without having anything else,'' Blaize said. ``They're putting the burden on her to prove it's not drug money.'' Blaize filed a claim against the DEA yesterday demanding return of the cash agents seized on Feb. 3, 2005, when Valdez's money belt set off airport metal detectors. DEA Special Agent Anthony Pettigrew said, ``This is her version of events on that day. When there's a hearing, DEA will present its version of what happened on that day.'' Federal law allows agents to seize assets so criminals do not profit from their crimes. If the money is returned, no interest is paid. ``The agent tried to get me to admit that the money was drug related. I refused because it is not,'' Valdez told the court. ``I have never used, sold or trafficked drugs or any other substance.''
It's a good thing we've gotten rid of that pesky "Innocent before proven guilty" nonsense.
Ping. Apparently it's now illegal to carry large sume of cash.
I'm not defending the DEA because I don't like their methods here either but I also think the woman is full of crap.
I agree. How far will our rights have to be infringed upon before people get upset and do something?
A few years ago I went out to buy a used truck and discovered that spending over $10K in cash is also a big no no. Tyrants. I'd like to see her T&A, the agent might have had a point in that regard.
She has a large amount of money, so she's a drug dealer.
I have no money - so it follows then that I am a drug addict?
Therefore - the money she had must be mine. Who do I have to contact to get it back?
Already posted http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1428762/posts
but its ok, because drugs are bad, right? lol
Sorry, did a search and couldn't find it. But my searches used $47k and $47,000, so I see why it missed it.
Dude, she's a mule. She probably doesn't deal drugs, she's a courier of cash for those who do. I'm sure there are no plastic surgeons closer to Mass. that a single mother, who is 26 and sold a business and two homes for cash, could visit. Her story stinks rotten.
Still, the DEA has no grounds other than that and that ain't enough, IMO.
She will have her day in court, however, does it make sense to you that someone who has worked several jobs to support her family has almost $50,000 to spend on plastic surgery? On top of that, how spectacular would her new boobs have to be to cost that much?
she planned to use for a procedure on her buttocks and breasts...
I gonna call "Bull$41t" on this.
You guys must not know about the asset forfeiture laws. The feds can take your house, your car, or any money they want. No questions asked if they suspect it was obtained anyhow illegally. They have done this to honest people and never give them back anything.
The bigger point: Does it make sense that DEA agents can simply steal any cash you have on your person, without any evidence?
Perhaps they do have evidence.... didn't the story mention they would tell their side in court? They may be in the wrong here, but in this case, and we have to view each case individually, this woman's story does not seem plausible.
Hold it! Duh! Here's the way to have handled it (not her tits and ass -- not allowed): DEA guys whisper amongst themselves, get on her tail (figuratively), and let her lead them to the truth. It is bizarre behavior, so who knows what the truth of the matter is?
Or perhaps check with the doctor in Texas - if he exists and has told her she needed cash in that large amount for those two surgeries, then perhaps he is the one with the illegal activity.....
I am unable to reach a decision in this matter without further evidence. I want to see her exposed breasts and buttocks, too! Then I'll be able to decide if she is guilty or innocent.
Uh-oh; conflicting story says she was hiding the money in her bra (imagine the top-heavy appearance!) :)
Uh-oh; conflicting story says she was hiding the money in her bra (imagine the top-heavy appearance!) :)
oops! here's the link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/06/23/woman_stopped_at_logan_with_46950_sues_dea/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News
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