Nashville, Tennessee --- A Tennessee State Trooper making a traffic stop ends up seizing 32-thousand in cash.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 a THP Trooper stopped a rental vehicle on I-75 in McMinn County for speeding and suspicion of DUI. Inside the 2006 Grand Prix rented out of Knoxville, the Trooper found $32-thousand dollars in U-S Currency. The driver, a 39 year-old white male, was arrested for DUI and possession of marijuana. Other charges are pending as the investigation continues.

The Trooper was conducing stationary observation radar at approximately 9:30 Wednesday morning when he observed the Grand Prix speeding at MM 45 southbound on I-75. The suspect vehicle passed by the stationary patrol car and nearly ran into the median of the interstate, according to the Trooper.

After stopping the suspect vehicle at MM 42, the driver was determined to be intoxicated and admitted to smoking marijuana. The subject failed field sobriety tasks but refused further testing. During a pat down, marijuana was recovered from the subject. A search of the vehicle console uncovered a large potato chip bag filled with $100.00, $50.00 and $20.00 dollar bills in thousand dollar increments.

The subject denied the money was his and advised troopers that the money must have been left in the rental vehicle. The currency was seized in accordance with state law.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.