LOBOS SNIFFS OUT $428,000 HIDDEN IN MINIVAN

  

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Lobos has sniffed out another huge haul of currency hidden in a minivan on I-10.

Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Monday that Sgt. Randy Thumann and his K9 partner Lobos, stopped a Honda Odyssey van on Interstate 10 at the 674 mile-marker at approximately 3:25 pm for a traffic violation. After contact with the driver and passenger was made, Sgt. Thumann received conflicting stories and extremely abnormal nervous behavior from both of the individuals.  Consent to search the vehicle was given to Sgt. Thumann.

Patrol Deputy Casey Thumann arrived to assist with the traffic stop. Sgt. Thumann deployed his K9 Lobos to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. Lobos alerted to the vehicle and followed the scent channel into the vehicle and alerted to several of the seats inside the van.   The Officers searched the van locating 39 bundles of U.S. Currency. Approximately 428,000 Dollars of U.S. Currency was found concealed in aftermarket compartments built inside the seats of the vehicle. The driver Jose Cortez, age 28, and passenger Maria Martinez age 26, both of Mexico were arrested for felony money laundering and taken to the Fayette County Jail.