FRESNO, CA — A California Highway Patrol (CHP) Central Division officer seized approximately 37 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 (I-5) in Merced County. The discovery of the drugs, with an estimated street value of approximately $1.3M, resulted in the arrest of two suspects, each charged with multiple felony offenses.
On September 7, 2024, at 6:05 p.m., a CHP Central Division officer conducted an enforcement stop on a white Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation on northbound I-5, north of State Route 152. During the contact, the officer noted several indicators that led him to believe the two occupants were engaged in criminal activity. After questioning and investigation, the officer developed enough probable cause to search the vehicle. While searching the vehicle, the officer located approximately 37 pounds of cocaine. Tyler Lee Smith, 24, of Philomath, Oregon. and Angel Pacheco, 20, of Albany, Oregon, were arrested and transported to the Merced County Jail. Smith and Pacheco were booked into the Merced County Jail on the charges of possession of cocaine for sale, transportation of cocaine across non-contiguous counties, and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
“I would like to thank our officers for their continued commitment and dedication to removing dangerous narcotics from our roadways,” said CHP Central Division Chief Damon Gilmore.
The case was turned over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) composed of law enforcement personnel from the California Department of Justice; the California Highway Patrol; the Merced County Probation Department; the Merced County District Attorney’s Office, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office; the Merced Police Department; the Atwater Police Department; the Livingston Police Department; and the Los Banos Police Department.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
