Massachusetts Troopers Find $410K Hidden In Car

BOSTON --

Massachusetts State Police troopers making a routine traffic stop discovered over $400,000 hidden in a secret compartment inside a car on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Trooper Christopher Coscia was patrolling traffic returning from the Thanksgiving holiday Sunday morning when he spotted an SUV not staying within marked lanes, police said.

When the driver of the 2005 Honda Pilot said he didn't know much about the owner of the SUV, Coscia got permission to search the car. A drug-sniffing dog, Axel, detected the presence of narcotics, police said.

"Axel (was placed) inside the SUV and the dog again hit on a narcotic odor, this time in the rear of the vehicle under the third row of seats," police said in a statement.

The car was towed to the Millbury State Police barracks where troopers found a hidden compartment under the seats.

Two latches opened a 3-foot-by-5-foot space where the troopers found stacks of cash wrapped in cellophane, police said.

The money, estimated to be $410,900, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The driver was not immediately identified by police, because he has not yet been charged.

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