March 03, 2005  Wharton County, TX
Texas Troopers seize $2.8 Million in Cash on traffic stop

Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol troopers seized $2.8 million during a traffic stop Saturday morning (February 26, 2005) in Wharton County. It's the third largest traffic-stop cash seizure in Department of Public Safety history.

The trooper pulled over an 18-wheeler for speeding at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning near Louise. The truck was southbound on U.S. 59.

During a search of the refrigerated semi-trailer, the trooper discovered 12 bundles of cash stuffed between containers of processed chicken parts.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and DPS Narcotics are continuing the investigation.

"Our training to go beyond the traffic stop in search of illegal activity is paying big dividends once again," said DPS Director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. "We all know illegal drugs and drug money are flowing through Texas; and we know that our troopers are proficient in taking illegal contraband off the streets."

Just three weeks ago, in a separate bust, a DPS trooper seized $2.3 million in cash from an 18-wheeler that was southbound on U.S. 59 in Nacogdoches County.



Source: Texas Department of Public Safety