FLORENCE, Ariz. – Two people have been arrested and charged with money laundering after a Pinal County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit discovered over $125,000 in cash during a traffic stop along Interstate 10.

On 8/28/2012, at approximately 8:27 p.m., a PCSO K-9 deputy on patrol near eastbound Interstate 10 and Sunshine Blvd. observed a driver in a grey, 2003 Kia Forte commit an unsafe lane change while following another vehicle at an unsafe distance.

(6) zip locked plastic bags pictured as they were concealed under the back seat of the rental car.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop at mile post 213. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Anthony Oyola, 24, and his passenger, identified as Crystal Rincon, 18, both from Tucson, gave the deputy conflicting stories when asked separately where they were coming from. A registration check showed the vehicle was a rental car but neither Oyola nor Rincon’s name appeared on the rental agreement. The vehicle was also past the agreed date of return.

The deputy observed numerous items inside the vehicle, including cell phones, female designer hand bags and a wallet which had recently been purchased. Oyola and Rincon claimed the property and gave consent to search the vehicle. Both denied the presence on any drugs, weapons or large amounts of currency inside the vehicle.

While searching the vehicle, the K-9 deputy observed a plastic bag which had been concealed under the back seat of the car.

The PCSO K-9 was then deployed, giving a positive hit of the contents under the seat. (The K-9 is trained in detecting narcotics and currency.)

The back seat was pulled upright, exposing (6) plastic bags of US currency. The total amount seized in the stop was $125,400. Additionally, the recently purchased items, totaling over $1,000 were seized.

Seized money pictured from the 8/28/2012 traffic stop.

Both Oyola and Rincon were both arrested on charges of Money Laundering.

“Since July 4th, 2012, PCSO patrol deputies have seized over $325,000 in criminal cash,” Sheriff Babeu said. “We shall continue to confiscate their drugs, cash and auction off their cars. We will take this money and put it back into the community through youth programs, women’s shelters and purchase needed law enforcement equipment.”