DPS Officer seizes over $140,000 in two consecutive days in the Tucson area.

On two consecutive days a Department of Public Safety (DPS) Canine officer seized over $140,000 in cash during traffic stops on Interstate 10 in the Tucson area.

On Oct. 21, at about 12:10 p.m., the officer stopped a 2008 Nissan passenger vehicle for speeding and a lane change violation on eastbound I-10 at milepost 250. The officer observed indicators of criminal activity. During a search of the vehicle the officer found a hidden compartment in the dash of the vehicle. Inside the hidden compartment the officer located approximately $49,000 in U.S. currency.

The driver of the vehicle, Hector Jaimes, 26, of Tucson, was booked into the Pima County Jail on the charge of money laundering.

On Oct. 22, at about 5:10 p.m., the same office stopped a 2006 Honda passenger vehicle for a following distance traffic violation in the same area of milepost 250 on eastbound I-10. Once again, the officer observed indicators of criminal activity. The officer deployed his K-9, which alerted on the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle the officer located a Gucci shoe box located in the backseat area of the vehicle. Inside the box the officer found approximately $104,000 in U.S. currency.

The driver of the vehicle, Maria Wytrykusz, 23, of Scottsdale, was booked into the Pima County Jail on the charge of money laundering.