California authorities seize 30 pounds of cocaine valued at over $800,000 during traffic stop

California authorities seized more than $800,000 worth of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop on August 12 in Merced County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a canine officer stopped a 2025 Honda CR-V for an alleged traffic violation. During the stop, the officer identified indicators of possible criminal activity, leading to a search of the vehicle. Approximately 30 pounds of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $817,200, was found in a bag. 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 conducting the investigation. This seizure follows a recent federal bust where over 1,000 pounds of cocaine were discovered in a commercial truck entering the U.S. from Mexico, valued at over $20 million.