MOUNT SHASTA, Calif. — A routine traffic stop on Interstate 5 led to a major drug bust by a Siskiyou County Sheriff’s deputy early Monday morning, Feb. 10th.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. when a white Toyota Camry was pulled over for a traffic violation. The deputy identified the driver as Jimmy H. Gutierrez, 20, and his passenger, David Hernandez, 22. A juvenile was also present in the vehicle.
Upon inspection, the deputy discovered that Gutierrez was operating the vehicle without a valid license. The group was traveling from Richmond, California, to an unspecified location. The deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed several bags of marijuana in plain view, prompting a probable cause search of the vehicle.
During the search, authorities uncovered a black Nike bag containing multiple smaller bags of a white crystalline substance. An electronic scale and additional bags of marijuana were also found, according to the sheriff’s office.
Subsequent testing confirmed the white crystalline substance as fentanyl, weighing 2,609.9 grams. This amount equates to roughly 1.3 million lethal doses, according to law enforcement officials.
In total, the seizure included over 2,600 grams of fentanyl and 576.8 grams of marijuana. Both Gutierrez and Hernandez were arrested and booked into the Siskiyou County Jail. They face charges of possession and transportation of a controlled substance for sale across county lines, as well as possession of marijuana for sale. The juvenile was cited and taken to the Siskiyou County Juvenile Probation for similar charges.
