Police in Texas reported that their narcotics division discovered over $500,000 in cash in a tractor trailer during a “highway interdiction” on September 12th. The sheriff’s office of Fort Bend County seized the money from a vehicle owned by Javier Jose Lopez.
Lopez was pulled over by Detective M.R. Hricko, a K-9 handler and member of the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force near Houston, TX after making several erratic lane changes. Lopez aroused further suspicion during the routine traffic stop, prompting Detective Hricko to conduct an in-depth search. During the search, the detective found the cash concealed inside the vehicle.
Lopez was arrested and charged with money laundering in the amount greater than $200,000. The charge is a first degree felony which could cost Lopez up to $10,000 and anywhere from 5 to 99 years in prison.
The money was held under a Chapter 59 Seizure Affidavit, which is a “federal statute used to seize money believed to be the result of drug assets, drug sales or a felony criminal offense.” The truck and trailer have been impounded.
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RE: $500,000 cash stash discovered in Texas truck says
I must be in the wrong line of business, because I never have a spare $500,000 in cash lying around my truck. If the money was being used for drugs, then the government could legally take and keep all the money. They could also take and keep the truck and trailer as well. After all, it’s the LAW.
🙂
Ted says
So what happens to the money? I would hope it pays off a mortgage for some trooper’s or soldier’s widow or orphan. More likely it will just morph into some politician’s speedboat.
Rob says
Erratic lane changes and arousing further suspicion ? Sounds like un-constitutional methods of information gathering then using any excuse to pull over the guy to bust him over what they knew he had due to illegal intelligence gathering. Now the money disappears into a black hole. 5 to 99 years over a suspected crime ? What ? they have no proof. Circumstantial evidence is not proof. But nothing upsets the government more than carrying around too much federal reserve money( private bank) especially when it is all borrowed money from the reserve anyway. You can pull off the most heinous sadistic murderous acts and get fewer years than carrying too much suspected illegal money. That is unless you are the right white collar person, then you can pull it off easily.
Ruben says
Hahaha… He was probably dancing the truck from lane to lane singing, “I’ve got $500,000, I’ve got $500,000!”
willie says
Nothing was said about drugs being found only cash… they believe? what happened to proof? Ive carried 12 15 k in the truck after winning off a slot machine
the guy was most likely doing something wrong but our gov is getting a little to darn wishy washy on peoples rights.
bernie jackson says
the police and dot have to use some kind of excuse to pull you over,like incorrect lane change,weaving,crossing solid white line on the right which are mostly small infractions but just dont have drugs,alcohol,illegals,lots of cash,or driving naked like randy t.
Jeff says
yea i agree, where is drug money or drug running proof????? what is the problem with keeping our own private back? if it goes into a bank we only pay more taxes on income. if they come up with nothing on him? IT SHOULD GO BACK!!!!! So he was changing lanes eratic??? so how many 4 wheels do they pull over for this???? hummmmmm ?
none says
Yes having cash. In the UK right now you are not allowed to transact somthing like $2500. It is used as a way of controlling criminal activity.
Benjamin Rodgers says
Did they thank the driver for that free money? That’ll keep the local government flush until they figure out how to distribute it “equitably”. The mob is not gonna be happy with that driver.