Will County Sheriff’s Office Seizes $400,000 On Interstate 80

The Will County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Interdiction Team, recently seized $400,000 in United States currency. It was on January 23rd, at approximately 7:00 p.m., that deputies pulled over a black Nissan Rogue with Arizona registration plates on Interstate 80 wesbound in Frankfort Township. A traffic stop was conducted and deputies spoke with the driver, a 49-year-old man with an Ecuadorian driver’s license. The subject also had a Visa ID. The subject informed deputies that he had flown into Miami on January 13th, from Ecuador, to work for a windmill company. The subject was visibly shaking upon speaking with deputies. A deputy with his K9 partner, Riggs, arrived on scene and completed a free air sniff on the Nissan. Riggs positively alerted on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics. Upon searching the vehicle’s rear cargo-area two locked suitcases were located. The subject provided the lock combinations and the bags were opened. A total of $400,000 in United States currency was then discovered. Due to the high degree of suspicion, the Will County Drug Interdiction Team seized the cash pending asset forfeiture proceedings or proof of legal ownership by the subject. The subject was questioned and released yesterday. The investigation remains open and active. At this time no charges have been filed.