By: Sachet A. Carter | The Zion Times
A narcotics task force operation led to the seizure of $45,000 in suspected drug trafficking cash early Thursday evening after deputies allegedly discovered the money concealed inside the rear seat of a vehicle traveling south on Interstate 15.
Dan Negrete (31) and Raul Negrete were arrested Sept. 3 and each face one second-degree felony count of money laundering, according to affidavits of probable cause filed in 5th District Court. Raul also faces infractions for a license plate position violation and unsafe lane travel.
According to the affidavits, the investigation began after Iron/Garfield/Beaver drug task force agents received intelligence regarding a vehicle traveling south from Salt Lake City that was suspected of transporting a large quantity of cash connected to drug trafficking.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., a task force agent reportedly began following the vehicle near the State Route 20 junction on southbound I-15. While following the vehicle, the agent reportedly observed unsafe lane travel and saw it abruptly cut in front of a semi-truck.
An Iron County Sheriff’s deputy positioned near milepost 87 subsequently observed the vehicle traveling southbound and noticed a white paper in the area where the license plate should have been. According to the affidavit, the paper was secured at the top but not at the bottom, causing the characters to be illegible from behind the vehicle. The deputy initiated a traffic stop near milepost 85. Once the vehicle stopped and the deputy was approximately 10 feet away, he was able to see the characters on the license plate.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Raul Negrete and the passenger as Dan Negrete. According to the court documents, Raul was unable to provide registration for the vehicle but provided his driver’s license and insurance information. Both men were described by the deputy as cordial but nervous.
The deputy asked both men to exit the vehicle and conducted a pat-down for weapons while they stood along the side of the roadway. Another deputy then walked a K-9 around the exterior of the vehicle to check for the odor of narcotics. According to the affidavit, the K-9 gave a positive indication, prompting deputies to search the vehicle; however, the affidavit does not indicate that any narcotics were ultimately found.
During the search, deputies allegedly discovered $45,000 in cash concealed underneath the rear bench seat, inside the seat itself. The men and vehicle were then transported to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, where deputies inventoried the vehicle and booked 45 bundles of cash into evidence.
Raul and Dan were subsequently interviewed separately by narcotics task force agents, who identified several inconsistencies between the men’s accounts of the trip.
Raul reportedly told investigators he had traveled to Salt Lake City and was planning to purchase a vehicle for up to $10,000. Dan, however, reportedly told investigators they were going to purchase a vehicle for $45,000.
During Dan’s interview, task force agents asked him what he would consider a large amount of money to find inside a vehicle. Dan reportedly said any amount of cash over $10,000 would be “a crazy amount.”
When agents informed Dan that $45,000 had been located inside the vehicle, he allegedly responded explicitly, “oh fuck.”
According to the affidavits, authorities cited the K-9’s positive indication, inconsistencies in the men’s explanations for their travel and the unusual location in which the cash was concealed as factors in the decision to arrest both men. The affidavits do not explain what information led narcotics task force agents to suspect the vehicle was transporting drug-trafficking proceeds through Iron County.
Raul and Dan were both booked in the Iron County Jail on second-degree felony money laundering charges.
INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN BOOKED INTO IRON COUNTY JAIL AND ARE ACCUSED OF THE FOLLOWING CRIMES BUT ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
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