By Matt Sepic, KWMU
Edwardsville, Ill – Police in the Metro East town of Pontoon Beach are getting a major boost to their budget as the result of a drug-related cash seizure.
Last year an officer found more than $3 million in a tractor-trailer parked at a truck stop along Interstate 270.
The money was forfeited to the DEA because neither the truck driver nor anyone else claimed it.
Pontoon Beach Police chief Charles Luehmann said his department will get most of the money.
"This money gives us the opportunity to upgrade a lot of the equipment we have, the fleet of advanced cars, continue with advanced training and upgrade our technology," Luehmann said. "My budget's right around $1 million. This will definitely help things out as far as the equipment."
The rest of the cash will go to the federal government.
Federal prosecutors would not give details about the case, other than to say it's part of an ongoing drug investigation.