I-10 Traffic Stop Results In Money Laundering Arrest

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at approximately 10 a.m. Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on I-10 westbound, at the 663-mile marker for a traffic infraction. Investigator Smith detected several criminal indicators and consent to search was granted. During the search, Investigator Smith located tampering to a natural void in the rear wall of the vehicle. Smith then located several vacuum-sealed bundles of U.S. currency, which were hidden and packaged consistent with that of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The monies were taken to the bank and totaled to $136,000. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Herbert Martinez Jr. of Laredo, was arrested and charged with money laundering a 3rd-degree felony. Martinez was transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.