A CHP officer seized 37 pounds of cocaine valued at $1.3 million during a traffic stop in Merced County, leading to the arrest of two suspects on multiple felony charges. (Instagram/CHP Central Division)
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A California Highway Patrol officer seized about 37 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.3 million during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Merced County on Sept. 7, according to the CHP’s social media post on Friday.
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The seizure led to the arrest of two suspects, Tyler Lee Smith, 24, of Philomath, Oregon, and Angel Pacheco, 20, of Albany, Oregon.
Both were booked into the Merced County Jail on charges including possession of cocaine for sale, transportation of cocaine across counties, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Their bail exceeds $2 million for each of the offenders.
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The stop occurred at 6:05 p.m. on northbound I-5, north of State Route 152, when the officer pulled over a white Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation.
Suspicious behavior by the occupants led to a search, which uncovered the cocaine.
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The case has been handed over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team, which includes personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies.
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