March 25, 2026 – Merced CHP officials report that on March 23, 2026, a Central Division K-9 officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop in Merced County. During the contact, indicators of criminal activity were observed, and consent to search the vehicle was granted. The officer deployed his K-9 partner Shei, who conducted an exterior sniff and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 61 pounds of suspected cocaine, five pounds of suspected fentanyl, and a loaded handgun. The driver was taken into custody and later booked into the Merced County Jail on multiple narcotics and weapons-related charges. The investigation was turned over to a regional narcotics task force.

The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is over $3.5 million.

Great work by our officers and K-9 teams working every day to keep dangerous drugs off our streets and protect our communities!

Source & photos: Merced CHP