FAYETTE CO. INVESTIGATORS SEIZE OVER $160,000 IN TRAFFIC STOP
(Fayette Co. Jail)
Over $160,000 was confiscated during a Tuesday afternoon traffic stop in Fayette County.
Around 4 p.m., Fayette County Sheriff’s Sergeant Randy Thumann and K-9 Kolt stopped a BMW X5 on I-10 at the 674 mile marker, for a traffic violation. Investigator David Smith arrived to assist.
During the stop, Sgt. Thumann observed several indicators of criminal activity, as well as inconsistencies in the driver’s travel itinerary. The driver refused consent to search the vehicle, but Sgt. Thumann deployed Kolt to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle.
Kolt alerted to illegal narcotics coming from the vehicle, and upon following the odor, discovered packaged bundles of U.S. currency. Sgt. Thumann and Investigator Smith removed a total of $166,111, which were concealed under the rear deck of the vehicle.
Authorities arrested 35-year-old Carlos Javier Garcia Ibarra of Mexico, who was charged with Felony Money Laundering and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.