Pubdate: Sat, 11 Mar 2006
Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC)
Copyright: 2006, The Sampson Independent
Contact:  http://www.clintonnc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704
Author: Chris Berendt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

$10,000 IN CASH SEIZED NEAR DUNN

Officers with the Sampson County Sheriff's Office's Highway 
Enforcement Awareness Team seized $10,000 in cash during a routine 
vehicle stop on N.C. 55 in the northern part of the county on Thursday.

Sampson County Sheriff's authorities seized $10,000 in cash during a 
routine traffic stop Thursday, conducted near the Sampson/Johnston 
County line. The man was pulled over for an equipment violation by 
officers with the Sheriff's Highway Enforcement Awareness Team and 
the officers discovered the money.

According to reports, the HEAT officers seized the money during a 
stop on N.C. 55 around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Cpls. Donald Carter and 
Tim Bass conducted the stop on a 1993 GMC Suburban being driven by 
Jose Gueadalupe Renteria.

Sheriff's Sgt. Robert Stroud, who heads up the HEAT unit, said that 
while Renteria was being interviewed, the $10,000 in cash was 
discovered. Stroud declined to say where in the vehicle the money was 
located or speculate as to why Renteria had that much money in his possession.

According to information from the Sheriff's Office, the cash was 
seized due to the amount and federal drug laws regarding money 
without receipts.

"Being that he had that much money on him, he's going to have to 
prove to the federal government as to where that money came from," 
said Stroud. "Everyone has their ideas as to what we think the 
money's from," he said, adding, "We can't speculate."

Renteria was given a written warning for equipment violations and 
released at the scene.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom