Traffic Stop on I-5 Nets 50 Pounds of Meth and $12K Cash in Tehama County

Cottonwood, CA — A late-night traffic stop on northbound Interstate 5 turned into a major drug bust Friday morning when Tehama County Sheriff’s deputies seized approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly $12,000 in cash.

At 12:39 a.m. on May 9, 2026, deputies pulled over a vehicle in the Cottonwood area. During the stop, they contacted the driver, identified as Javier Mendoza-Zamora, 48, of Washington. Sheriff’s K9 Silas was brought in and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle.

A subsequent search led to the discovery of a large quantity of methamphetamine along with the cash. Detectives from the Tehama County Major Crimes unit responded to assist with the seizure and investigation.

Mendoza-Zamora was arrested and booked into the Tehama County Jail on multiple felony charges.

The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the bust is part of their ongoing commitment to proactive enforcement aimed at keeping local communities safe.

This seizure represents a significant amount of methamphetamine kept off Northern California streets. I-5 remains a frequent corridor for drug trafficking between Washington, Oregon, and points south through the Shasta-Tehama region.

Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation at this time.