A routine traffic stop in Merced County, California, resulted in the seizure of more than $800,000 worth of suspected cocaine, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The stop occurred on August 12, when a canine officer pulled over a 2025 Honda CR-V for an alleged traffic violation. The officer identified several indicators of possible criminal activity, leading to a search of the vehicle.
The search uncovered a bag containing approximately 30 pounds of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of $817,200. The driver was arrested and booked into the Merced County Main Jail on charges of possession of cocaine for sale and transportation of cocaine across non-contiguous counties.
Investigation Ongoing
The Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) is handling the investigation. This seizure comes after federal authorities last month uncovered more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine hidden beneath the floorboards of a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also announced last month that officers discovered more than $3.7 million worth of cocaine concealed in a shipment of cucumbers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
