On Sunday at about 4 p.m., a California Highway Patrol officer stopped a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu on northbound Interstate 5 south of Jeffrey Avenue for a mechanical violation.

During the stop, the officer observed behavior and circumstances that raised suspicion of criminal activity, the CHP Coalinga unit said.

The driver consented to a search of the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about one kilogram of suspected cocaine powder hidden inside a backpack on the rear passenger seat.

Officers also found a loaded, unserialized handgun — commonly known as a “ghost gun” — in the same backpack. Additionally, four bundles of counterfeit money, estimated to be in denominations totaling between $15,000 and $25,000, were recovered.

The driver and the passenger were arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail.

The case, along with the suspected cocaine, firearm, and counterfeit currency, was turned over to the Fresno High Impact Investigations Team for further investigation.

Charges against the suspects include possession and transportation of narcotics for sale, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of an unserialized firearm, and possession of counterfeit money.

The estimated street value of the cocaine is about $80,000.

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