The concept of "finders, keepers" may not apply to a Wisconsin couple whose find of $12,000 in their new apartment's freezer may be linked to drug dealing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jim and Colleen Mesler moved into the Janesville apartment on Dec. 4 and, while cleaning out the freezer, found a package wrapped in foil and plastic.

It turned out to be about $12,000 worth of moldy $100, $50 and $20 bills.The couple dried the stack out in the oven and separated the bills with tweezers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Their bank refused to accept the cash because of its flimsy condition and told the couple to contact police.

They did, but Deputy Police Chief David Moore said it's possible the money is part of an ongoing drug prosecution of the former tenant. He said it's also possible some of the bills might have been used by narcotics officers to make undercover buys, which would make them department property.

If some or all of the cash is cleared by police, the Meslers will be entitled to it, the report said.