Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - Nicaragua says 18 Mexicans caught posing as journalists to smuggle $9.2 million in cash will be sent back to their home country to serve out their 18-year prison sentences for money laundering convictions.
The Mexicans were arrested last year after Nicaraguan officers found bundles of cash hidden in their phony TV news vehicles.
In January, a Nicaraguan judge sentenced them to 30 years, but those sentences were reduced to 18 years on appeal.
Nicaragua has an agreement with Mexico allowing prisoners to serve out sentences in their home countries.
Nicaraguan Supreme Court chief justice Alba Luz Ramos says the inmates asked for the transfer, noting it will free up prison space in Nicaragua.
Ramos predicted Sunday that the inmates' final legal appeals in Nicaragua will be rejected.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
