$110,000 Found In Backpack During Drug Bust: Westport PD

WESTPORT, CT — A woman was arrested and police seized more than $100,000, Westport Police say. At 1:30 this morning, Corporal Kevin Smith saw a suspicious vehicle parked at Torno Hardware, 796 Post Road East, which was closed for business, police said.

One female and two males occupied the vehicle at the time and another party associated with the vehicle, later identified as Ninifa Ruiz, soon emerged from behind the building, police said.

While speaking with the occupants, Smith detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the car, police said. Back up officers arrived on scene to assist. The female occupant was in possession of a small amount of marijuana, for which she was issued an infraction, police said.

Ruiz was later found to be in possession of ecstasy pills. Smith deployed his partner, K-9 Onyx, who indicated on the suspect vehicle, police said. During a search of the car, officers discovered approximately $110,000 inside a backpack. None of the parties claimed the backpack or its contents, nor did they have any explanation for the excessive amount of cash, police said.

Ninifa Ruiz, 30, of Everett, Massachusetts, was taken into custody and officers seized the ecstasy pills and money. Ruiz was transported to headquarters where she was charged with Sale of Hallucinogen and Possession of Controlled Substance/Hallucinogen. She was released after posting $7,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Court on October 16, 2018.

Image via Westport Police