A Texas State Trooper said that it was the truck driver’s new, dry cleaned clothes that led him to search a truck that he pulled over just north of the Mexican border last week.
Troopers Pull Truck Over For Speeding
Roman M. Sanchez, 51, was pulled over for speeding and expired registration while driving a blue 2007 Peterbilt truck near the Love’s Truck Stop on U.S. 281 last Monday around 6:30 a.m. Investigators had received a tip about the truck prior to pulling the truck over. After a canine unit alerted in the truck, troopers conducted a thorough investigation, uncovering $1.2 million in cash bundles in a secret compartment in the truck.
After the money was discovered, Sanchez admitted that the money was profit from a drug deal that had been conducted by an unknown party. He said that he had picked up the cash in Chicago and was bound for Mexico — a trip that he had made at least five other times.
Authorities Claim Un-trucker Like Behavior Led to Closer Investigation
According to an affidavit from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the dry-cleaned clothes were the key to uncovering the money: “these items are not consistent with everyday truck drivers, but are consistent with narcotics and currency couriers.”
Other un-trucker like behavior also suggested that Sanchez might be hiding something. He told investigators that he slept in hotels instead of in his truck. Sanchez admitted that he left a load of pork sitting in a parking lot for 24 hours, according to the affidavit. He also spent several days off the road with his family.
Sanchez is facing charges of possession with intent to conceal proceeds from drug trafficking. He is currently being held without bond.
Sources:
Valley Central
The Houston Chronical
ABC 13