$3 million found hidden inside barrels of pork shoulder, police say

The money was believed to have been earned through drug deals.

December 11, 2019, 10:00 AM

Authorities in North Carolina seized around $3 million dollars worth of drug money this weekend, all of which was stashed inside barrels holding raw pork shoulders, officials said.

The discovery was made in Cleveland County after officers with the sheriff's department pulled over a tractor trailer, according to a statement from Cleveland County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday.

PHOTO: Police released this photo after a man was arrested after being pulled over with 3 million dollars in cash hidden in barrels containing raw pork shoulders.
Police released this photo after a man was arrested for being pulled over with 3 million dollars in cash hidden in barrels containing raw pork shoulders.
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

The driver was initially stopped on Interstate 85 for failing to stay in his lane, but a K-9 alert prompted them to move the vehicle to a safe location and search it.

PHOTO: Police released this photo after a man was arrested after being pulled over with 3 million dollars in cash hidden in barrels containing raw pork shoulders.
Police released this photo after a man was arrested for being pulled over with 3 million dollars in cash hidden in barrels containing raw pork shoulders.
Cleveland County Sheriff's Office

The millions were believed to have come from drug sales throughout the region, the sheriff's department said.

The Department of Justice is helping in the investigation, officials said.