El Salvador: $12m found in oil drums

Sep 5, 2010
$12m found in oil drums

SAN SALVADOR (El Salvador) - POLICE in El Salvador have found two buried oil drums stuffed with millions of dollars in cash possibly linked to the illegal drug trade, authorities said on Saturday.

The first barrel was found Thursday on a ranch in the town of Penitente Abajo, about 62 km from the capital.

After three days counting the bundles of US$100, US$50 and US$20 bills, authorities announced that it contained about US$9 million (S$12.08 million), which the Central American nation uses as its currency.

Another plastic drum was uncovered Saturday about 5 metres away, also crammed with money. A count of the second stash was under way.

'It is possible that there are more, and we are obliged to conduct a detailed investigation,' said Carlos Ascencio, director of the National Civil Police.

The Attorney General's Office said residents reported 'frequent, strange movements' in the area. The money was found with the help of the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the US Embassy in San Salvador.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_575093.html

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