DEPUTIES NET $47,580 IN TRAFFIC STOP

Sampson County deputies hit the lottery Thursday, seizing $47,580 in
U.S. cash hidden in a black Cadillac. No one's been charged with any
crime but the Sampson Sheriff's Office has confiscated the large
amount of cash, suspecting it was used for drug deals.

The money was found after a traffic stop by the Highway Enforcement
Awareness Team on Interstate 40 near Faison. A K-9 "alerted" there
may have been drugs in the vehicle, which allowed deputies to perform
a non-consensual search.

The searching officers found the cash in a manilla envelope in the
trunk of the car.

"Any amount of money that's over $8,000 or $9,000 can be seized or
investigated," Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said. "A hearing will be set up
and the individual will be able to contest why the money belonged to
him or was legit."

The sheriff said it is about a six-month process to set up a hearing
and determine why the man had the large amount of money.

He said since the dog sniffed out the cash, there is a good
possibility it could have been used in drug transactions.

"The dog hit on it, alerted on the money, which would indicate there
are drugs involved," Sheriff Thornton said.

The driver of the vehicle, who could give no account for having the
cash, was given a receipt for the money and was allowed to leave the
scene with no criminal charges. The stack of bills was turned over to
the United States Marshal's Service.

"The benefit of the traffic unit was demonstrated once again,"
Sheriff Thornton said. "If drug dealers want to run their drugs and
cash on the roadways in Sampson County then they have to deal with
the consequences."

Sampson deputies were also busy Saturday night, operating two DWI
checkpoints in the county.

"It was very successful," said Sheriff Thornton, who was on scene
with a mobile magistrate's office and breathalyzer station known as
the "Batmobile."

He said the final numbers are not in, but several DWI arrests were
made. Deputies also found some marijuana in a vehicle during the checkpoint.