Cass County seizes more than $116,006 after traffic stop

A routine traffic stop on June 28 in Cass County led to the discovery and seizure of more than $116,000 in cash, According to Cass County Judge Travis Ransom.

Cass County Deputy Eric White discovered the money upon searching the rental car occupied by a driver and two passengers that had been pulled over for speeding. White reported he could smell a strong odor of marijuana when he approached the car.

The trio was in a rental car, with dark tinted windows. The tint had been applied from the outside of the vehicle.

“White also noted multiple indicators that the driver and passengers were involved in money laundering,” Ransom said. “Upon investigation, the cash was discovered in three separate backpacks” The money was found gathered in $2,000 bundles, held together by rubber bands, which is consistent with criminal activity, according to officials.

A money counting machine was also discovered in the car.. Ransom said two of the three denied knowledge of the money, but the driver claimed only $16,000, stating it was earned by him in his employment.

Ransom said the vehicle’s passengers could not tell the deputy exactly where they were coming from.

“Based on White’s investigation and questioning of the occupants, he believed that the money was proceeds of marijuana or other narcotic drug sales,” Ransom said. “The money was seized pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 59.01.”

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 59.01 deals with the forfeiture of contraband; What contraband consists of, and the instances in which city officials may seize contraband–in this case a large sum of money.

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure can be viewed online at https://statutes.capitol. texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.59.htm.

All three were arrested and charged with money laundering.