California Highway Patrol seizes 37 pounds of cocaine worth $1.3 million in I-5 traffic stop; 2 Oregon men arrested – KTVZ

FRESNO, Calif. (KTVZ) – A California Highway Patrol officer’s traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Merced County led to the discovery of 37 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.3 million and led to the arrest of two Oregon men on several felony charges, CHP said Friday.

The CHP officer pulled over a white Jeep Cherokee shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 for an undisclosed traffic violation. During the contact, “the officer noted several indicators that led him to believe the two occupants were engaged in criminal activity,” CHP said in a news release.

After questioning and investigation, the officer developed probable cause to search the vehicle and find the drugs.

Tyler Lee Smith, 24, of Philomath, and Angel Pacheco, 20, of Albany, were taken to the Merced County Jail on charges of possessing cocaine for sale, transportation of cocaine across non-contiguous counties and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The case was turned over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) composed of law enforcement personnel from the California Department of Justice, CHP and several other agencies.

“I would like to thank our officers for their continued commitment and dedication to removing dangerous narcotics from our roadways,” said CHP Central Division Chief Damon Gilmore.