CHP K-9 ‘Beny’ finds drugs, money during Merced County traffic stops

California Highway Patrol K-9 Beny and his handler located about $600,000 during a traffic stop in Merced County on Monday, according to the CHP.

According to Officer Eric Zuniga, an officer conducted an enforcement stop on a silver 2017 Toyota Tundra driven by Charles Quang Lee, 49, of San Leandro, along northbound Interstate 5 at the Dos Amigos rest stop at about 2:57 p.m. for a moving violation.

CHP K-9 Beny was used to sniff the exterior of the vehicle, at which time he alerted his handler to the odor of narcotics, the CHP said.

During a search of the vehicle, a cardboard box was located in the bed of the vehicle containing an estimated $600,000 in cash in heat sealed plastic, according to the CHP. Authorities said the money is believed to have been from the sale of narcotics.

Authorities said the driver of the vehicle was arrested and charges are pending.

According to authorities, K-9 Beny and his handler also discovered about $240,000, cocaine and marijuana concealed in various hygiene products during an enforcement stop on Thursday last week.

The officer conducted a vehicle stop on a gray 2020 Ford F350 that was observed speeding in the area of northbound I-5, north of the Highway 165 in Merced County at about 11:47 a.m., according to Zuniga.

While speaking with the driver, identified as Justin Lanery, 30, of Eureka, the officer noticed indicators of criminal activity and Beny was used to sniff the outside of the vehicle, according to the CHP. Beny alerted officers to the odor of narcotics and the driver of the vehicle consented to a search.

Officers located several suitcases in the bed of the truck containing multiple hygiene products concealing about $240,000 in cash as well as cocaine and marijuana, according to the CHP.

Lanery was arrested and charges are pending, according to authorities.

This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 8:44 AM.