The Region - News from March 31, 1986

Two men arrested after customs agents discovered $783,580 in cash hidden inside an air compressor awaiting shipment to Panama were ordered held without bail. Ralph Haines, 63, an American who listed an address in Costa Rica, and Miguel Lezcano, age unknown, of Panama, were arrested March 21 after the cash was found inside an air compressor the men had delivered to the air-cargo facility of Varig Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport, an affidavit from a customs agent said. U.S. Magistrate James Penne denied both men bail pending their trial for violating laws requiring that the government be notified when large amounts of cash are removed from the country.