2 found with over $1 million of fentanyl in Merced County

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Two people were arrested on Friday after $1.2 million worth of fentanyl-laced pills were seized following a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Merced County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP says that on Oct. 4, at approximately 2:40 p.m., an officer pulled over a Chevrolet Malibu for a traffic violation on northbound Interstate 5 at the Santa Nella Platform Scale.

During the stop, according to CHP, the officer detected a strong order of burnt marijuana and observed several indicators suggesting criminal activity.

After establishing probable cause, the officer searched the vehicle and CHP says two loaded firearms and approximately 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills concealed in the trunk were uncovered.

According to CHP, the 25-year-old driver Henry Tsan of Renton, Washington, and the passenger, Cashous Saunitino Keowongphet, 23 of Seattle, Washington, were arrested and booked into the Los Banos County Jail.

Detectives report both suspects face charges of suspicion of possession of fentanyl for sale, transportation of fentanyl across non-contiguous counties, possession of fentanyl while armed, possession of a loaded firearms and possession of a concealed firearm within a vehicle.

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