$1M in drugs seized, Mexican man arrested in Fresno County, deputies say

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A man from Sinaloa, Mexico, has been arrested after a K-9 discovered $1 million in drugs, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Deputies say they made a traffic violation stop on a vehicle traveling along Interstate 5 in Fresno County. K-9 Gere picked up a scent of narcotics during the stop and alerted detectives.

Sheriff’s officials say a vehicle search revealed two dozen packages the driver, identified as 21-year-old Jose Araujo-Valenzuela of Sinaloa, Mexico, attempted to hide.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the packages contained 240,000 Fentanyl-laced pills, commonly known as M-30s, and 2.2 pounds of cocaine. The total street value for these items is estimated to be $1 million. The drugs were seized for evidence and destruction.

According to deputies, this large amount of narcotics is consistent with the work of drug trafficking organizations. The case is being submitted for consideration of federal prosecution.

Those aware of any type of illegal drug activity are encouraged to report it anonymously by calling the Narcotics Hotline at 1-800-660-1086 or email: drugtip@fresnosheriff.org.

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