COLLINSVILLE, IL (KTVI) – The Madison County State’s Attorney is calling it the largest seizure of illegal money within his jurisdiction in recent years.

An Illinois State trooper made a routine traffic stop on Saturday that led to the arrest of a 62-year-old suspect.  Carole Galves is charged with money laundering after police found $1,589,600 in cash inside her 2004 Volvo.

Galves is from Galabend, AZ.  Her car has Arizona plates.  An Illinois trooper pulled her over for an illegal license plate cover and for crossing a white line.  The trooper then asked for permission to search her car.

“She consented and he was searching through the car and found over $1.5 million,” said Sgt. Mike Link, Illinois State Police.

The money was sealed in plastic bags.  Link says an amount of cash this large is a typical sign of drug activity.

Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons says he will seek to have the money used for law enforcement efforts.

“Our Asset Forfeiture Division does an excellent job in seizing money obtained illegally,” said Gibbons.  “It allows us to turn around and use that same money for programs and projects that improve our ability to fight crime without cost to taxpayers.”

Galves was jailed on a $500,000 bond.  If convicted on the money laundering charge she could face a prison sentence of 4 to 15 years.