February 26, 2009 Winslow, Arizona
$248,239 seized by Arizona DPS after a DUI arrest on I-40

Feb. 26, 2009, a DPS officer stopped a modified and raised four wheel drive pickup truck for equipment and moving violations on I- 40 westbound near Winslow. The driver was arrested for Aggravated Driving under the Influence (DUI). The driver's license had already been suspended for a previous DUI conviction. During a search of the vehicle the officer located a duffle bag in the back seat of the truck which contained $248,239 in U.S. currency. The money was packaged in plastic freezer bags and "shrink" wrapped bags. Officers also located a small amount of personal cocaine in the truck as well. The driver was identified as Rene Oliveras, 43 of Queen Creek, Arizona. Oliveras was booked into the Coconino County Jail on the charges of Aggravated DUI, Money Laundering, and possession of cocaine.

Source: Arizona Department of Public Safety