Camden County deputies seize $100K in cash

WOODBINE, Ga. – Investigators in Camden County seized $100,000 in cash found in an SUV after making a traffic stop Tuesday, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said they stopped a black Ford Edge heading southbound on Interstate 95 about 4 p.m. for improper lane change.

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Deputies approached the vehicle and asked the driver, later identified as 32-year-old Juan Nunez of Orlando, Fla., for his driver's license and registration. While Nunez was getting his documents, the deputy saw that he had three cellphones in the center console, two of which were open and active.

Nunez produced his Florida driver's license and the registration. While running the information, the deputy saw that Nunez was fidgeting excessively and would not look in his direction, deputies said. Nunez was issued a warning for his traffic violation.

The deputy asked Nunez if there were any weapons, drugs or large amounts of currency in the vehicle, and Nunez said no. The deputy asked Nunez for consent to search the vehicle, but Nunez said, "I don't mind, but I don't want you to search the vehicle."

A second deputy's K-9 and received a "positive indication" on the vehicle, deputies said. During the search, Nunez said the deputies were doing a great job and that he wanted to become a police office, deputies said,

While searching the center console area, deputies was discovered that there was an aftermarket compartment built inside the center console. It was also discovered that there was U.S. currency inside the compartment.

Drug investigators were notified and responded to the scene. The vehicle was driven to the Sheriff's Office garage on camera, and at the garage, the compartment was opened and four black bags were removed. Inside each bag was vacuum sealed U.S. currency, deputies said. A hand count of the money was $100,000.

The cash was placed into evidence because it was found in a hidden compartment with no financial paperwork, deputies said. Nunez was allowed to get his personnel items from the vehicle and was released, deputies said.

The vehicle was inventoried and stored at the Sheriff's Office substation.