I've been ruminating on one like this in the thriller realm. The concept is that in fraud/embezzlement cases the government proves the crime, but doesn't spend extra money on recovery, they'll scoop up things in a search warrant. This is a long article setting up the premise, but this was what sparked it in my mind, namely when it talks about him scattering the loot all over Austin. http://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/just-desserts/ So you take an investigator that goes diving for the stuff before anyone else and has made a good side living at it. Using his fence at a pawn shop to move it all. Like you said, he gets in over his head with one search and chaos takes off from there.

I like it, Justin. Good brainstorming. Could be something there.