The release of this week’s #ICYMI feature for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) shows that, over the past couple of weeks, top activities have included recognizing Disability Employment Awareness Month, a rescue operation and drug seizures, among other cases.
Awareness Fair
Thursday, Oct. 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 the workforce.
Fentanyl Seizures
On Oct. 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. Oct. 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).
Taking Meth Off The Streets
During a routine speed control operation on Interstate 5 at Hood Franklin on Oct. 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 officers demonstrate daily to keep communities safer.
Tow Task Force Arrests
On Oct. 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, the CHP has provided training relative to bandit/predator tows to nearly 350 officers of the CHP, LAPD, and other allied agencies.
Rescue Operation
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 Oct. 8 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. Both the man and the dog were uninjured.
