California authorities seized more than $800,000 worth of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop in Merced County on Aug. 12, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
A CHP canine officer stopped a 2025 Honda CR-V for an alleged traffic violation. During the stop, the officer observed indicators of possible criminal activity, prompting 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. The Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) is investigating the incident.
This seizure follows several other significant drug busts in Southern California. Last month, federal authorities discovered over 1,000 pounds of cocaine hidden in the floorboards of a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico, with an estimated street value exceeding $20 million. In a separate incident, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found more than $3.7 million worth of cocaine concealed within a shipment of cucumbers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas.