Fayette County Interdiction Team Strikes Twice In One Day Seizing $64,400

Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that deputies arrested two people for money laundering in two seperate traffic stops on Wednesday, December 13.

The first happened around 3:17 p.m. Investigator David Smith with the Fayette County Interdiction unit stopped a 2008 Green Jeep Liberty traveling west on Interstate 10 about two miles west of Flatonia for a traffic violation. "

After meeting with the driver, Guadalupe Ceballos, 52 of Brownsville, who was highly stressed and extremely nervous, Smith became suspicious of criminal activity," Korenek's report stated. "Consent to search the vehicle was given by the driver. Smith quickly located a tool bag containing bundles of U.S. Currency." 

Smith recovered $24,400 dollars from the vehicle. Ceballos was transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center and charged with felony money laundering.

The second occured around 6:12 p.m. as Sgt. Randy Thumann stopped a 1997 Chevy Suburban traveling west on Hwy. 290 in Carmine for a traffic violation.

"Sgt. Thumann noted many criminal indicators by both the driver and passenger of the vehicle," said Korenek's report. "Consent to search the vehicle was denied. Sgt. Thumann deployed his canine Lobos to conduct an exterior sweep of the vehicle. After a positive alert to the exterior of the vehicle Lobos was let inside and followed the scent channel to a large suit case on the second row of seats. $40,000 dollars in currency was located vacuum sealed inside the suit case."

The passenger Alvaro Luis Chaves, 32 of Pharr, claimed responsibility of the money. Chaves was booked into the Dan R. Beck Justice Center and charged with felony Money Laundering.