Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2005
Source: Shelby Star, The (NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Shelby Star
Contact:  http://www.shelbystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1722
Author: Graham Cawthon, Star Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

THIS VAN IS REALLY LOADED

SHELBY -- The spacious seating and storage space of a Ford Windstar
makes it handy for any family outing.

According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, it's also useful
for laundering money.

The burgundy minivan was seized in June on I-85 in Cleveland County
after members of the Interstate Crime Enforcement (ICE) team found a
secret compartment underneath the passenger seat containing $123,000.

A hidden latch was installed to lift the seat forward, revealing the
hidden compartment underneath.

Cleveland County Rep. Tim Moore has drafted a bill that, if passed,
would make it a felony to have compartments within a vehicle made to
conceal items from law enforcement. The bill would not apply to
factory-made compartments, only to user modifications.

Moore said officers frequently find the compartments while searching
stopped vehicles and have no doubt they have been used for illegal
activity, but because the compartments are empty they cannot prosecute.

"We need to help these guys out," he said.

Drugs, money and illegal documents are frequently transported through
North Carolina, said Sgt. Rodney Fitch of the ICE division.

Both mail carriers and airlines heightened their security following
9-11 which, according to Fitch, forced drug smugglers and money
launderers to use motor vehicles as their main mode of
transportation.

Fitch said since the division began in February 2004, $1.1 million in
U.S. currency, 26 pounds of cocaine and four pounds of
methamphetamines have been seized on I-85 within Cleveland County.

He added there have been 23 drug smugglers deported and around 30
arrests.

The high numbers of seizures and arrests are the result of North
Carolina being near Atlanta, a major hub for drug trafficking, Fitch
said.

The division has found drugs and money concealed under child car
seats, in car batteries, gas tanks, tires, door panels and firewalls.
Tractor-trailers have also been used.

Fitch is hopeful that the bill would also defend against terrorist car
bombs and weapons of mass destruction.

Barring any strong opposition, Moore said, the bill can be in effect
starting October 2006. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake