Notice to Media

Highway Police Officers Seize Record Amount of Money

March 9, 1998 -- Officers from the Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department made the largest cash seizure by a non-federal agency in the state’s history over the weekend, according to Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) Chief Ron Burks.

A total of $3,166,199 was found Saturday night during a routine truck safety inspection at the Lehi Weigh Station on I-40 near West Memphis. Besides being the largest single seizure by a law enforcement agency ever in Arkansas, it is believed to be the fourth largest cash confiscation by a non-federal agency in the nation’s history.

AHP officers were performing a routine safety inspection on a large truck at approximately 8:00 p.m. Saturday when the money was found. The driver consented to a search of the cab after officers detected logbook and alcohol violations. The cash was found stored in four large suitcases in the sleeper portion of the cab. The driver, 41-year old Roberto V. Zamarripa of Harlingen, Texas, denied any knowledge of the suitcases or their contents.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Crittenden County assisted with the seizure following the discovery. The driver was charged with misdemeanor logbook and alcohol violations along with felony money laundering counts. He is being detained pending further investigation.

"Aside from being highly proficient in vehicle inspections and commercial vehicle regulations, our officers are trained to look for signs of other criminal behavior," Burks noted. "This is an example of that training paying off. We’re very proud of our Highway Police officers and the results they are achieving."

AHP officers have been very active in drug interdiction activities over the years. Other large drug-related seizures include the confiscation of 1,103 pounds of cocaine from a truck at the Lehi Weigh Station in 1992, and the discovery of 23,500 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle at the Hope Weigh Station. In calendar year 1997, Highway Police officers confiscated nearly 4,700 pounds of marijuana and numerous smaller quantities of other illegal substances, as well as over $61,000 in cash.

####