HCSO: Traffic stop leads to nearly a half-million dollars in drug money

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A traffic stop in east Harris County last week led investigators to what they say was nearly a half million dollars in drug money.

Last Wednesday, a deputy stopped a pickup, which was traveling east along I-10. The pickup driver pulled into a business in the 17000 block of Market Street.

The deputy reports that the driver, who told him he was working construction, was acting nervously. The driver gave deputies consent to search his truck, during which the deputy found 17 bundles of cash in a toolbox and more in the front seat. In all, more than $448,000 was found.

The driver and vehicle were taken to a Harris County substation, where a K9 unit made a positive alert to the presence of narcotics coming from the packages.

The driver reportedly told deputies the 'Gulf Coast Cartel' paid him to deliver the money. The man was not arrested pending further investigation.

Just the day before, the Harris County Sheriff's Office stopped another vehicle, from which $12,000 was seized.