May 08, 2007  Ocala, Florida
Sheriff's Deputy and K-9 find nearly $380,000 hidden in van on Interstate 75

Marion County Sheriff's Office K-9 Deputy Brad Thomas stopped a 2006 Ford minivan on Interstate 75 for an improper lane change. The occupants of the minivan van were an adult female driver and two juveniles. Deputy Thomas conducted a drug sniff of the minivan with his assigned K-9 "Gator." Subsequent to a positive alert for drugs, Deputy Thomas searched the interior of the minivan. Hidden within the left and right quarter panels of the cargo area, Deputy Thomas discovered a large amount of U.S. Currency. Agents of the Unified Drug Enforcement Team (HIDTA) were summoned to the traffic stop. Agents seized 38 separate bundles of currency which were wrapped in plastic. Each bundle contained approximately $10,000 in cash. The investigation revealed that the driver, H/F Maria Salazar, had rented the minivan earlier that day. She denied having any knowledge of the currency which was concealed in the vehicle.

Maria Salazar and the two juveniles were released from the stop and the nearly $380,000 was seized by law enforcement.

Source: Marion County Sheriff's Office