Authorities in South Korea say that they have unearthed 11 billion won ($10 million) in cash in a garlic field, local media reports on Tuesday say.
The source of the cash is believed to be from an illegal Internet gambling ring, reported Yonhap news agency. A person close to the ring apparently buried the cash at a farm and at several other properties in the province of North Jeolla.
Police say that they have identified the man who buried the money as a 53-year-old with the surname of Lee. His first name was not given.
Yonhap reported that Lee got the money from his two brothers-in-law. Lee then hastily bought the farm and buried the money, according to police.
The money was first found by a laborer named Ahn, who was hired to dig up a tree on the property but stumbled on the cache, reported ABC News.
Ahn first found a plastic box, which he discarded without opening, said the report. Lee then accused Ahn of stealing more than $270,000 in cash. Several months later, Lee then accused him of stealing more than $620,000, adding that it belonged to gangsters.
Ahn then went to the authorities for protection and said he was innocent, prompting a police search on the property.
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