FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (FOX26) — A California Highway Patrol K-9 officer helped officers seize approximately 109 pounds of processed marijuana and $45,180 cash during a traffic stop on Interstate 5.
The bust happened on February 12th around 3:15 p.m. when officers stopped a 2024 Toyota RAV4 for a traffic violation on northbound I-5, south of Russell Avenue in Fresno County.
The officer detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed several indicators suggesting criminal activity.
A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed the marijuana and cash.
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The driver, Brian Jacob Gardella Pudelski, 27, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and passenger, Anthony Joseph Zenda, 33, of Arcata, Calif., were cited and released.
They face pending charges of possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana across noncontiguous counties, and possession of currency derived from narcotics sales.
“This arrest and significant marijuana seizure highlights the CHP’s dedication and effectiveness in combatting illegal activity on our roadways,” said CHP Central Division Chief Damon Gilmore.
The case has been handed over to the Fresno High Impact Investigation Team, a high-intensity drug trafficking area initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the California Department of Justice, and local sheriff’s offices.
CHP K-9 officer seizes 109 pounds of marijuana and $45K cash in Fresno County (Photo: CHP) Read More
