$109,000 DISCOVERED DURING FAYETTE CO. TRAFFIC STOP

  

Two are charged with felony Money Laundering after a traffic stop in Fayette County resulted in authorities finding over $100,000. 

Around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Fayette County Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith stopped a 2015 Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation on I-10 westbound at the 663 mile marker, near Flatonia.

Smith, assisted by DPS Trooper Chase Grillet, reported observing several criminal indicators upon making contact with the driver.  Smith received consent to search the vehicle, which the sheriff’s office says was occupied by a man, his wife and their juvenile son.

Packaging materials deemed consistent with drug concealment were found inside an ice chest in the vehicle.  Smith spoke to the driver and then the female passenger, who was wearing a bulky coat.  Located on the woman were multiple bundles of cash in a body carrier wrapped around her, in a manner the sheriff’s office says is common with drug couriers.

According to the sheriff’s office, the total amount of cash seized was $109,608.

45-year-old Efrain Guadalupe Hernandez Laurel and 34-year-old Adrianna Perez Valencia of Monterrey, Mexico were placed under arrest and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.  Their juvenile son was released to a family member.