Traffic stop leads to arrest of man after $2.6M in narcotics found in vehicle, CHP says

An Oregon man was arrested Friday after authorities say they found more than $2.6 million worth of narcotics during a traffic stop in Merced County.

Isaac Abraham Sandoval Lopez, 36, of Portland was arrested Friday after California Highway Patrol officers seized about 262 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 5 pounds of fentanyl and 2 pounds of heroin, during a traffic stop in Merced County. Authorities said the narcotics have an estimated street value of about $2,669,520.

At about 4 p.m., Friday, a Central Division CHIP officer a CHP K-9, conducted a traffic stop on a 2013 Hyundai Elantra on northbound Interstate 5, north of Nees Avenue in Merced County, according to the CHP. Authorities said the stop was for a traffic violation in Fresno County.

Authorities said Lopez was identified as the driver of the vehicle and determined to be unlicensed. While taking inventory of the vehicle prior to impounding it, officers located a plastic bag on the passenger floor containing multiple packages of suspected crystal methamphetamine, the CHP said. Officers also located two suitcases and a backpack in the trunk of the vehicle. The suitcases and backpack contained multiple packages of suspected crystal methamphetamine as well as three packages of unknown suspected narcotics, according to the CHP.

Lopez was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale, transportation of methamphetamine across non-contiguous counties, possession of fentanyl or heroin for sale and transportation of fentanyl or heroin across non-contiguous counties, according to the CHP.