10/30/01Driver denies knowledge of $1M find

[Dark Blue]

upi.com Wrote:

ASHLAND, Kan., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A thinly populated county in southwest Kansas may be getting a $1 million infusion of cash following a police seizure of suspected drug money, authorities said.

Clark County Sheriff John Ketron told The Hutchinson News the money was discovered after an undersheriff pulled over a pickup truck towing a trailer. Undersheriff Daniel Knowles said the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, did not signal when he changed lanes.

A drug-sniffing dog responded to the money but found nothing else suspicious in the pickup or trailer. The driver, who has since been released, denied knowing anything about the money or how it got into his truck.

Ketron said the money was in bills of all denominations from $1 to $100.

The driver of the truck was from out of state and his vehicle had out of state plates. Ketron said he could not release details because the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating where the money came from.

Ketron said whether the county gets to keep the money depends on what happens during forfeiture proceedings and whether anyone can prove a legitimate claim to it.

The seizure is believed to be the largest ever in the county, and comes to almost $500 for everyone of its 2,200 residents, although the money would presumably be used for law enforcement if it remains in Clark County.

[embm]

damn wish i had found it