A driver pulled over on the New Jersey Turnpike on Monday for traffic violations was arrested after a police officer found more than $80,945 in cash hidden in the vehicle, authorities said.
Jose A. Rosa-Vasquez, 32, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was charged with second-degree money laundering and jailed ahead of a court hearing, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Rosa-Vasquez was pulled over on I-95 North in Leonia for having tinted windows and for failure to maintain a traffic lane.
“During a brief roadside interview while issuing his written warning, (the officer) noticed inconsistencies and factors of criminality,” the affidavit states, without being more specific.
Rosa-Vasquez consented to a search of the vehicle and the officer found the cash hidden in an aftermarket electronically operated compartment hidden in the console, according to the affidavit.
Musella said the money was “believed to be from narcotics sales” in Bergen County and that Rosa-Vasquez was transporting the money to another location.
“Rosa-Vasquez was arrested at the scene of the search,” the prosecutor said. In addition to the cash, police seized two smart phones, according to the affidavit.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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