WASHINGTON (AP) At a roadblock in Iraq, American troops confiscated what they believe may be gold bars worth up to $500 million, defense officials said Friday.

A truck carrying some 2,000 bars was stopped by soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at a military checkpoint near Qaim, a northwestern city near Iraq's border with Syria, said U.S. Central Command.

The bars still must be tested to make sure they are gold, Central command said in a statement.

Two people were taken into custody, but it was unclear who they were, their nationality, and where they got the bars.
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Soldiers conducted a search of their Mercedes truck and discovered approximately 2,000 40-pound, 10-inch-long bars.

The bars may have a total worth of $500 million, depending on karat weight and purity, the statement said.

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