On March 19, 2015, just after 8AM, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department K9 deputy observed a white 2014 Ford pick-up with Texas plates west on I40 travelling at an unsafe distance to another vehicle. This violation was followed by an unsafe lane change which resulted in a traffic stop. The K9 deputy contacted the driver, 30 year old Jun Hee Kim from California, who appeared nervous and provided numerous inconsistence statements regarding his travel. As the conversation continued, the deputy suspected Kim’s vehicle likely contained contraband in the form of drugs.
The deputy requested permission to check inside Kim’s pick-up and was denied. As a result, a certified K9 was deployed and during an exterior sniff of the pick-up, the K9 exhibited a very obvious alert indicating an odor of drugs. During a search of the vehicle interior for the source, the deputy discovered a suitcase which contained Kim’s clothing and several clear plastic bags of US Currency. A later count revealed a total of $180,000 in US Currency. A blind K9 ‘sniff’ test was utilized and confirmed a drug/narcotic odor has been directly associated with the seized cash. It is believed the cash is directly connected to illicit drug operations.
Kim initially denied association with the cash. The investigation is ongoing this afternoon and it is expected the seized currency will be submitted to the court with a request for civil asset forfeiture.
Kim was booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on 1 count of Money Laundering and remains in-custody. Bond has not been set.