Press Release

​Jaime Coffee, Director of Communications
Office of Media Relations
601 North 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811

Contact:

​CHP Media Relations: (916) 843-3310

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/14/2024
24-86

TOP FIVE CHP STORIES OF THE WEEK

 

#ICYMI: This week, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made headlines with several notable incidents, including CHP recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month, CHP Central Division’s high discovery of $1.7 million in fentanyl, the recovery of more than 94 pounds of methamphetamine, CHP’s bandit tow task force arresting a tow operator solicitor and CHP H-30 rescuing a dog and his owner.

 

 

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each announcement. Click on the headlines to access accompanying assets that are available for download.

 

 

1.    CHP PARTICIPATES IN DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS FAIR

 

On October 10, the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) hosted a Disability Employment Awareness Fair at the State Capitol in Sacramento. This event coincided with Governor Gavin Newsom’s proclamation of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. The CHP was privileged to host a highly impactful event with numerous attendees ranging from job seekers to advocates and invaluable community members committed to championing inclusivity and improving employment prospects for individuals with disabilities. The event served as a significant forum, driving significant conversations around mitigating employment barriers and commemorating the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities in our dynamic workforce. For more information about a life-changing career with the CHP, visit our website.

 

2.    HIGHWAY TO SAFETY: CHP SEIZES $1.7 MILLION IN FENTANYL

 

On October 3, a CHP Central Division K-9 officer was alerted to the presence of narcotics in a cooler that contained multiple packages of carne asada beef, used to conceal approximately 11 pounds of fentanyl, worth approximately $500,000, during a traffic stop along Interstate 5 in Fresno County. The intervention led to the arrest of a 30-year-old man from Washington state, who is now facing numerous felony charges. These include possession of fentanyl for sale and transportation across non-contiguous counties. The investigation has been transferred to Fresno's High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT) for continued investigation.

 

On October 4, a CHP Central Division K-9 officer seized approximately 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills, valued at $1,200,000, during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Merced County. The stop led to the arrest of two men, 25 and 23 years old, both of Washington. They face multiple felony charges, including possession of fentanyl for sale, transportation of fentanyl across non-contiguous counties, possession of fentanyl while armed, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a concealed firearm within a vehicle. The case was turned over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET).

 

3.    CHP RECOVERS MORE THAN 94 POUNDS OF METH OFF THE STREETS

 

During a routine speed control operation on Interstate 5 at Hood Franklin on October 6, a Valley Division Special Enforcement Officer identified potential signs of drug trafficking. A cooperative effort with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit resulted in a positive detection by the K-9, uncovering over 94 pounds of methamphetamine. This is a shining example of the teamwork and diligence our officers demonstrate daily to keep our communities safer.

 

4.    CHP’S BANDIT TOW TASKFORCE ARRESTS A TOW OPERATOR SOLICITOR

 

On October 7, CHP’s Commercial Enforcement Unit conducted operations in the South Los Angeles area, specifically focusing on predator/bandit tow operators. One individual was arrested for illicit solicitation at a traffic incident scene; five tow trucks were impounded; a total of 32 violations were enforced through nine citations; and six vehicles, along with their two drivers, were deemed out-of-service. In addition to our enforcement efforts,

we have provided training relative to bandit/predator tows to nearly 350 officers of the CHP, LAPD, and other allied agencies.

 

5.    CHP H-30 RESCUES MAN AND HIS DOG

 

On October 8, Golden Gate Division’s Helicopter-30 (H-30), in collaboration with Bolinas Fire and a Marin County Fire helicopter rescue technician (HRT) member, responded to an incident involving a man and his dog trapped on the side of a Bolinas Cliff obscured by thick foliage. Swift action led to H-30 deploying the Marin County Fire HRT member to the specified cliffside location. Utilizing rescue harnesses, the individual and the dog were hoisted from the cliff and safely handed off to the awaiting Bolinas firefighters’ team. We're pleased to report that both the man and the dog were uninjured.


The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.


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