Traffic Stop Results in Arrest of Driver with 100 Pounds of Meth
By Jim Emerson
CONCORD — A major drug arrest was made on Interstate 680 during morning rush hour. California
Highway Patrol arrested a driver found in possession of nearly 100 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of roughly $200,000.
Magdaleno Quezada-Garcia, 47, of Concord, remains in custody in lieu of $2.5 million bond.
A CHP Golden Gate Division K-9 unit on patrol stopped a van for a traffic violation on August 29.
Quezada-Garcia was pulled over on Interstate 680 near Marina Vista Road at approximately 8 a.m.
However, soon something else seemed amiss to the officer who stopped him.
The CHP said in a prepared statement, “The officer began to suspect the driver may be involved in
criminal activity. The officer deployed his canine partner. An exterior sniff of the vehicle (revealed) the
odor of drugs.”
While Quezada-Garcia was being detained additional officers were dispatched. His van was searched
and officers found a stash of plastic bags containing a white powder substance. After completing a
thorough search officers placed Quezada-Garcia under arrest. The contents of the bags were
subsequently determined to be methamphetamine.
Quezada-Garcia was transported and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility. He was later moved
the West County Detention Facility in Richmond, pending a court hearing on September 24.
Felony charges with special enhancements have been filed against Quezada-Garcia involving the
possession and transportation of methamphetamine for sale.
