Several kilos of suspected drugs found during Merced County traffic stop, CHP says

Editor’s note: The headline of this story has been updated. A prior version misstated the vehicle’s owner.

Two men have been arrested after several kilograms of what authorities suspect to be cocaine, were found in a vehicle during a traffic stop in Merced County.

According to California Highway Patrol Central Division Sgt. Brian Pennings, Boris Garcia-Muro, 37, and Daniel Lopez, 28, were arrested during the traffic stop at about 6:30 p.m. along Highway 165 on Jan. 30.

Pennings said a CHP officer on a routine patrol stopped the men, who were in a black Mazda CX-9 traveling northbound on Highway 165 south of Cotton Gin Road, for a speeding violation.

During the stop, CHP K9 “Bruce” was used to perform a perimeter sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of possible narcotics, according to Pennings.

While searching the vehicle, the officer located five packages of suspected cocaine, each containing about 1,000 grams, hidden in various compartments inside the vehicle, Pennings said.

According to Merced County Sheriff Sgt. Tim Goncalves, the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, or MAGNET, is working to secure warrants for electronic devices seized during the traffic stop.

Goncalves said the substance located in the vehicle was sent to the Department of Justice for testing.

Both Garcia-Muro and Lopez were arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail.

According to jail records, the two men face allegations of felony possession for sale of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, as well as enhancements.

The two men remain in custody at the John Latoracca Correctional Center in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to jail records.

This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 7:25 PM.