LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol seized more than $70,000 in a traffic stop along I-80 last week but let the driver go free.

Local media says troopers pulled the man over around 3 p.m. Friday near the Lincoln airport for following another vehicle too closely.

State Patrol spokeswoman says the 27-year-old California man driving agreed to let troopers search his 2001 Ford F350.

The cash was found in a sealed waterproof container in an external gas tank.

The driver swore that he didn’t know about the cash, so he was allowed to leave. Collins says that because the man said the cash wasn’t his, he won’t be able to challenge the seizure in court.