Deputies seize nearly $500,000 in suspected drug money

The Harris County Sheriff's Office displays items seized in a Oct. 29, 2014 drug bust that netted $500,000 in drug money. The Harris County Sheriff's Office displays items seized in a Oct. 29, 2014 drug bust that netted $500,000 in drug money. Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Deputies seize nearly $500,000 in suspected drug money 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

Nearly $500,000 in cash suspected of being connected to drug dealing was found last month in a pickup during a traffic stop in east Harris County.

The discovery was made Oct. 29 in the 17000 Market Street, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said a deputy spotted a pickup traveling eastbound on the East Freeway and it appeared to be suspicious. When the driver pulled off the freeway and stopped at a buisness on Market Street, the deputy spoke to the driver.

Deputies said the man, whose name has not been released, appeared very nervous as he told the deputy he was a construction worker. The deputy became suspicious, however, because the yellow safety vest and his boots the man was wearing seemed very clean. Also tools in the truck seemed new and unused. That seemed suspicious because they appeared to be "props," which are commonly used by suspects involved in currency and drug trafficking.

When the man allowed the deputy to search him and the pickup, the deputy found 17 bundles of cash in a tool box and several others in a bag on the front passenger seat. A total of more than $448,000 was discovered.

A K-9 later indicated the presence of narcotics on the packages of cash.

Deputies said the driver told them the "Gulf Coast Cartel" paid him to deliver the currency.

Deputies are investigaing the case. No arrests have been made so far.