Pubdate: Thu, 19 Aug 2004 Source: Hattiesburg American (MS) Copyright: 2004 Hattiesburg American Contact: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1646 Author: Nikki Davis Maute, American Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) LAMAR DEPUTIES SEIZE CASH $240,160 Taken On I-59 Possibly A County Record The confiscation of $240,160 in cash at a traffic stop on Interstate 59 Tuesday night by a Lamar County sheriff's deputy is believed to be the biggest in the county's history, law enforcement officials said. "It's the largest seizure in recent history in our immediate area for sure," Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel said Wednesday as U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agents packed the bills - in various denominations from $10s to $20s to $100s - to be taken to a DEA holding facility. An unidentified Canadian citizen was taken into custody and later turned over DEA agents. Rigel said his deputy was on routine patrol on the interstate north when he stopped the driver of a 2000 Honda Civic for traffic violations. "He asked the driver if he could search the car and the driver agreed," Rigel said. "Because of the actions of the dog, we opened the trunk and found the money." Rigel said there was evidence that the cash was tied in with illegal drugs. He would not provide specific details. "The suspect told officers that he had no knowledge of the cash in the trunk," Rigel said. Rigel said because the driver was a Canadian, he called in the DEA and the federal agency took over the investigation. "This has international implications and our department is not equipped to work at that level," Rigel said. DEA officials cited the case as an ongoing investigation and would neither identify the suspect nor provide what, if any, charges were filed against him. He was being held at an undisclosed location. Since the Lamar County Sheriff's Department's drug dog does not arrive until next week, a Hattiesburg Police Department's K-9 officer assisted the county with a search of the suspect's vehicle. "I am very proud of our deputy, but because he does work narcotics I don't want to identify him," Rigel said. "I am also glad for the help from Hattiesburg's K-9 team." If the confiscated money is forfeited, Lamar County will get to keep 80 percent. The other 20 percent will go to the federal government for its handling of the case. The money that is returned to Lamar County will be used to fight the drug trade, a program that has seen at least double the number of drug arrests in the county so far this year as compared to last year, Rigel said. Rigel credits the formation of the Pine Belt Narcotics Enforce-ment Team in February with the increase. The program is the state's first, a pilot effort that joins sheriff's deputies and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents in fighting drug trafficking. During the first six months of this year, there have been 150 drug cases in Pearl River and Lamar Counties, records show. Ronald Arnold, the deputy assigned to the team, worked Lamar County's narcotics program alone last year. "I don't have numbers from last year, but I would say our arrests have more than doubled," he said. Arnold said the six-officer team of deputies in Lamar and Pearl River counties and the narcotics bureau has made a big difference. "Under our agreement, we can work in Pearl River and Pearl River deputies can work in our county," he said. Arnold said members team also are contract agents with the state Bureau of Narcotics allowing them to work together. Rigel said he's already fielding calls from other areas of the state interested in establishing similar narcotics teams. This is the second money seizure in the county this year. In February, deputies seized $23,000. The Lamar County Sheriff's Department is scheduled to receive $16,000 on Friday as its share of the earlier forfeiture. "This is illegal drug money and it will be used against illegal drugs," Rigel said. "I like the sound of that." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D