Three Indiana Department of Transportation workers were honored at the governor's office for turning in a cash-filled truck tire. Gov. Mitch Daniels called the workers "moral heroes" because they did not pocket the roadside treasure.

Daniels presented the three with heroism awards and individual $1,000 checks. The workers' full names were not released because they worry they might be harassed by the people who lost the tire or those who disagree with their decision, an INDOT official said. Police suspect the money was part of a drug transaction.

The workers found the tire Jan. 23 as they cleaned trash along westbound I-70 in Hancock County near the Mount Comfort interchange.

The workers said they realized there would be no benefit in keeping the money

They contacted Indiana State Police, who took the tire, then removed, dried and counted the cash. Tests by a state trooper's drug-sniffing dog turned up the scent of drugs on the money.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection office in Chicago now has the cash. It will run newspaper ads and see whether anyone claims the money -- and explains how it came to be stuffed in the tire. The $130,120 likely will be turned over to the federal government under forfeiture laws. A portion will be returned to Indiana State Police for drug enforcement efforts, said 1st Sgt. David Bursten, State Police spokesman.