Nice catch, canine officer! (image: abclocal.go.com)
Police officers in Rosenberg, Texas found almost half a million dollars stashed in a television and a propane tank inside a vehicle during a routine traffic stop last week, ABC7chicago.com reported.
Officers became suspicious when their police dog searched the vehicle’s exterior and alerted them to a front door seam and a large cardboard box. Inside the box, they found and seized nearly $432,000 hidden in the back of a 32-inch TV and a damaged propane tank – a pretty clear sign of criminal activity. The investigation is still underway, but police believe it’s probably money laundering.
“Rolls of money stuffed inside the propane tank – it’s not normal to see someone with that much cash. It’s usually for drugs, etc.,” said Lt. Colin Davidson. “Highway 59 is a drug corridor from the south to the north.”
Police said possible charges are pending against the driver. What will happen to all that cash? Most likely, a court will award the money back to the police department where it will go towards training, equipment, and other non-salary station necessities.