Federal agents found approximately $20 million in cash hidden inside a box spring in a Massachusetts apartment on Sunday.
They arrested a Brazilian man in connection with conspiring to launder proceeds of the massive TelexFree pyramid scheme.
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Cleber Rene Rizerio Rocha, 28, was charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, according to the District of Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to a criminal complaint, federal agents searched the headquarters of TelexFree Inc., in Marlborough, Mass. in April 2014.
Later that day, Carlos Wanzeler, one of the founders of the company, allegedly fled to his native country of Brazil.
Wanzeler and TelexFree co-founder James Merrill were indicted in July 2014 on charges that they operated TelexFree as a massive pyramid scheme. Merrill pleaded guilty in October 2016 and is awaiting sentencing.
The complaint alleges that someone working on Wanzeler’s behalf contacted an associate for help transferring millions of dollars of TelexFree money, which had been hidden in the Greater Boston area, from the United States to Brazil.
The associate, who became a cooperating witness for the government, allegedly arranged with Wanzeler’s nephew in Brazil to launder the cash through Hong Kong and transfer it to Brazilian accounts.
According to court documents, Rocha, acting as a courier for Wanzeler’s nephew, flew from Brazil to JFK Airport in New York City a few days ago.
Rocha met with the cooperating witness at a restaurant in Hudson, Mass. on Sunday and allegedly gave him $2.2 million in a suitcase.
After the meeting, agents followed Rocha to an apartment complex in Westborough, Mass., and arrested him.
They searched an apartment at the complex and seized approximately $20 million that was hidden in a box spring.