United States of America, Duvan Arboleda, Individually and as President of Gold & Gems Trading, Claimant-Appellant v. $215,300 United States Currency

On April 25, 1985, Alvaro Dario Hoyos entered Los Angeles International Airport carrying $215,300 strapped to his body and stuffed in his clothes. Law enforcement agents seized the money. The district court ordered forfeiture. Duvan Arboleda appeals, claiming the money Hoyos transported on his behalf was not drug-related. We affirm.

I.

Los Angeles Police Detective Michael Farrant was on duty at the airport when Hoyos walked past with a bundle of currency protruding from a pocket in his jacket. Detective Farrant identified himself and learned Hoyos was flying from Los Ange-les to Miami via Atlanta. In response to further questioning, Hoyos took $15,000 from his coat pockets and said it was all the money he had. A patdown search, during which Hoyos became “visibly shaken,” confirmed the presence of a large bulge around Hoyos’ waist.

Detective Farrant asked Hoyos to accompany him to the Drug Enforcement Agency airport office. On the way to the office Hoyos told Detective Farrant the money belonged to a travel agency he owned. At the office, Detective Farrant asked Hoyos for the rest of the money. Hoyos produced an additional $201,000 from his jacket, his socks, and an apron-like…