Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Money Laundering Charges

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports on Thursday, Dec. 14, around 9:20 a.m. Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on I-10 westbound at the 663 mile marker on a 2015 white Jeep Cherokee SUV for a traffic violation. Upon contact with driver several Criminal Indicators were observed.

The report said Smith was given consent to search the vehicle which was occupied by a male, his wife, and their juvenile son. Smith located suspicious packaging materials consistent with drug concealment in an ice chest in the vehicle. After interview of the driver Smith made contact with the female passenger who was observed wearing a bulky coat. Located on the female were multiple wrapped bundles of cash money in a body carrier wrapped around the female consistent with drug couriers.

Smith placed 45-year-old Efrain Guadalupe Hernandez Laurel and 34-year-old Adrianna Perez Valencia of Monterey, Mexico under arrest and they were transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center and charged with Felony Money Laundering.

The total amount of cash seized was $109,608. Their juvenile son was released to a family member. Assisting Smith at the scene was DPS Trooper Chase Grillet.