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Many police officers will tell you that there is no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop. That’s especially true when law enforcement finds weapons or drugs in a vehicle after pulling it over for something as silly as a traffic violation. That’s exactly what happened when California Highway Patrol police officers found hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine in a smuggler’s truck. 

The CHP traffic stop bust revealed over 20 lbs of cocaine worth nearly three quarters of a million dollars

California Highway Patrol officers pulled over a silver Ford F-150 in Merced County. According to the authorities, the officers initiated the traffic stop following a driving violation. However, the CHP officers found a lot more than a bad driver in the silver pickup truck.

After the truck stopped, a police dog, CHP K9 “Shei,” inspected the Ford F-150. Authorities say Shei detected “the odor of narcotics” in the truck. That was more than enough for police to search the vehicle, undoubtedly hoping to find what set Shei off.

The search revealed a narrow, hidden compartment in the pickup truck’s roof. Shei had pointed the police officers in the direction of a smuggler’s hatch full of cocaine. While the hidden compartment was less-than-obvious, it wasn’t enough to trick the police dog at the traffic stop. CHP estimates put the roughly 20 lbs of cocaine at around $720,000.  

Police then arrested the driver, 66-year-old James Churn, for the crime. It’s unclear what specific charges Churn is looking at for transporting the cocaine. However, authorities are likely to charge the 66-year-old with transporting or selling cocaine.

The drug crime, also known as “trafficking,” is a serious matter, and could result in at least three years in prison, if not much longer, per Shouse Law Group. Of course, 20 lbs is a significant amount of cocaine. Needless to say, the smuggler is in seriously hot water for that quantity.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, an admitted petrolhead, and an avid motorcyclist. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis. Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.