Authorities found about $270,000 in a spare tire, after stopping a driver from Houston, Texas on Interstate 75.
When Tennessee Judicial Drug Task Force agents stopped Albino Lara, 43, for an improper lane change on Tuesday, they asked permission to search his car, said Agent Mike Hall.
After Mr. Lara agreed, agents noticed some abnormalities in the spare tire located underneath the vehicle, Mr. Hall said. After cutting open the tire, agents found $271,020.
Mr. Lara said he did not know how the money got into his spare tire, and continued to deny ownership, he said.
The money and Mr. Lara's vehicle were seized by the drug task force, and Mr. Lara was taken to the Bradley County Justice Center, Mr. Hall said.
He is on a hold for the Immigration Customs Enforcement agency for violations of immigration laws, he said.