BOSTON – A Peruvian national pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 26, 2017, for smuggling counterfeit U.S. currency into the United States.
Alejendrina Elsa Quispe Ramirez, 48, pleaded guilty on April 26, 2017, to smuggling counterfeit U.S. currency into the United States. U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. sentenced Quispe to time served. As part of the plea agreement, Quispe agreed to leave the United States following sentencing.
In July 2016, Peruvian National Police advised the United States Secret Service (USSS) that Quispe and two of her sons would be traveling to the United States on July 11, 2016, through Boston’s Logan Airport, carrying a large amount of U.S. currency concealed in their luggage. The family members, all Peruvian nationals, were traveling on visas that were issued, in part, for the purpose of allowing one of the sons to obtain medical treatment in the United States. When federal agents searched Quispe’s luggage, they found spindles, used for string or yarn for industrial sewing or textile manufacturing machines, wrapped within the travelers’ clothing. Shortly after entering the United States, Quispe was arrested and further investigation of the luggage contents revealed counterfeit $100 bills totaling $1,190,000, all concealed within 140 spindles of thread.
Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb and Stephen A. Marks, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office, made the announcement. The case was prosecuted by Lori J. Holik, Chief of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit.