*Updated* Over $1.5 million seized


seized money
Over $1.5 million in seized money.

A traffic stop and vehicle search resulted in the largest cash seizure ever by law enforcement officers in Vance County.

The money, totaling $1,550,000, was seized from a late model pick-up truck by officers from the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

The cash was discovered about 10 PM Friday night following a check of an unlicensed driver during a multi-agency traffic safety and DWI checkpoint on U.S. Hwy #1 near the Franklin County line. Other agencies participating in the Memorial Day weekend traffic safety checkpoint included the Highway Patrol, Franklinton Police Department, and Wake Forest Police Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration was contacted once the money was discovered and DEA authorized seizure of the cash and the truck. Two occupants of the truck were taken into custody. A joint investigation is continuing between local and federal agencies under the auspices of the DEA.

**UPDATE**

The following two were occupants of the truck transporting the $1.55 million in cash seized in Vance County last Friday, May 26:

Julio Sosa Cornelio, age 19, of 517 Hickory Street, Henderson, NC

Juan Carlos Lunar-Vargas, age 22, address unknown

Since the owner of the truck could not be located and the suspects had no plausible explanation for how they came to possess the vehicle, they were both charged with possession of a stolen vehicle (or aiding and abetting such a crime). Each was jailed locally in lieu of $500,000 bond each. A federal detainer has been placed on both men, and it is anticipated that the local charges may be deferred as the case is transferred to federal jurisdiction.

An investigation is continuing involving federal and local authorities.