SD car dealership charged with money laundering from drug sales

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A part owner of a Calexico car dealership was charged
in an indictment unsealed in San Diego federal court Monday, alleging he used
the business to launder cash from illegal drug sales and failed to file
required reports associated with vehicle sales.

Ignacio Gonzalez, 43, an owner of Del Valle Auto Sales, was arraigned
along with his wife, 37-year-old Lorena Gonzalez.

She was charged with trying to conceal the illicit nature of the funds
by making deposits in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering federal
banking laws. Banks that handle deposits of $10,000 or more must file a report
with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

According to the indictment, Ignacio Gonzalez knowingly transferred and
delivered funds from the sales of vehicles that were “represented by a law
enforcement officer to be the proceeds of … drug trafficking.”

He then failed to file “Form 8300,” as required by law, after
receiving $19,420 in cash and $24,500 in cash for the purchases of those
vehicles, according to the indictment.

The defendants were each granted a $25,000 bond and ordered to appear in
court May 23 for a motion hearing.