Nearly $160,000 in U.S. Currency, 271 lbs of marijuana and ½ lb of meth seized by DPS Officers since October 1st

Five traffic stops made by Highway Patrol Officers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) since the beginning of this month have resulted in the seizure of $158,203 in U.S. Currency, 271 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $149,050, and a ½ pound of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $9,500. The total street value of the seized drugs is $158,550.

The most significant money seizure so far this month took place on Oct. 1, 2009, at 3:07 p.m., when a DPS officer stopped a late model Honda Accord sedan for a moving violation while traveling south on Interstate 17, just south of Camp Verde. The officer observed indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the vehicle. Following the consent search, the officer located several bundles of cash hidden inside electronic equipment located in the trunk of the vehicle. The total amount seized during the traffic stop totaled $154,050 in U.S Currency. Both the adult driver and adult passenger, husband and wife, were questioned and released and disclaimed ownership of the money; they had their three small children with them at the time. The case has been submitted to the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office for review.

The largest marijuana seizure so far this month took place on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at 11:00 a.m., when a DPS officer stopped a 2001 Ford F350 pick-up truck for an equipment and moving violation while traveling north on Interstate 17, just north of Cordes Junction. The officer observed indicators of criminal activity and obtained consent to search the vehicle. Following the consent search, the officer located 181 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of $99,550. Both the driver, Arturo B. Caraveo III, 23, of Westminster, Colo. and passenger, Arturo B. Caraveo II, 51, of Tucson Ariz., who are father and son, were arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana for sale, and conspiracy to distribute/sell marijuana. The marijuana and truck were seized.

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