RCMP traffic officers seize more than $60,000 in cash
By Nelson Daily Staff
The New Year brought in more than $60,000 in cash to the Southeast District Traffic Services during a trio of routine traffic stops.
RCMP traffic officers were alerted to two vehicles due to speeding.
The first stop happened January 3 (Thursday) on Highway 5 south of vehicle Clearwater.
The vehicle was sailing along doing 136 kilometers per hour in a 100 km zone.
During the investigation, the officer found the driver had been consuming alcohol and a breath demand was read, he supplied two breath samples of Warn, which resulted in a three-day driving suspension.
The vehicle was searched under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act at which time the office found a small amount of marihuana and approximately $18,000 cash.
The 24-year-old male from Edmonton was en route to Lower Mainland.
The next day (Friday) January 4) an officer stopped a vehicle on the Trans Canada Highway near Kamloops, also for speeding.
While dealing with the 26-year-old male from Kamloops, the officer detected an odor of marihuana and the driver was arrested.
A search incidental to arrest located $30,000 cash. .
The final cash seizure happened Monday (January 6) on Highway 5 near McLure.
The officers stopped the vehicle for a BC for a Motor Vehicle Act infraction.
While dealing with the occupants, the officer enter into a Criminal Code investigation. A search of the vehicle found approximately $15,000 cash. A 28-year-old male from Victoria and 27-year-old female from Vancouver were the subjects of the investigation.
All the subjects involved are being investigated for Proceeds of Crime and the money could be subject to forfeiture.
RCMP Traffic Services officers throughout the province conduct traffic stops every day, but each stop potentially can become a criminal investigation.
