A 24-year-old Philomath man and a 20-year-old Albany woman face multiple felony drug-related charges following their arrest Sept. 7 in California.
A California Highway Patrol officer seized approximately 37 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Merced County, the agency reported in a news release posted on a social media account. Officials estimated the street value of the cocaine at approximately $1.3 million.
According to the CHP’s Central Division, the officer stopped a Jeep Cherokee at 6:05 p.m. Sept. 7 for a traffic violation on I-5 north of State Route 152
Tyler Lee Smith and Angel Pacheco were booked into Merced County Jail on charges that include possession of cocaine for sale, transportation of cocaine across noncontiguous counties and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Each suspect is being held on a $2 million bond.
“During the contact, the officer noted several indicators that led him to believe the two occupants were engaged in criminal activity,” CHP reported. “After questioning and investigation, the officer developed enough probable cause to search the vehicle.”
The search yielded approximately 37 pounds of cocaine.
“I would like to thank our officers for their continued commitment and dedication to removing dangerous narcotics from our roadways,” CHP Central Division Chief Damon Gilmore said in the release.
The case was turned over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team, which includes law-enforcement personnel from several agencies.