Bail Set at $2M for Man Allegedly Caught with 50 Pounds of Fentanyl Pills
Photo credit: Shasta County Interagency Narcotics Task Force
REDDING, CA — A Los Angeles man was reportedly arrested in Shasta County after deputies found a significant quantity of suspected fentanyl pills and cocaine during a traffic stop.
In a press release, the Shasta County Interagency Narcotics Task Force announced that 31-year-old Steven Francisco Mejia of Los Angeles had been arrested during a traffic stop on the night of Saturday, Nov. 9.
Deputies initially stopped Mejia for an alleged traffic violation near the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Cypress Avenue in Redding. During the initial contact, Mejia appeared nervous and allegedly showed signs of being under the influence. Deputies also noted a strong odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle, authorities said.
As deputies conducted field sobriety tests, a Sheriff’s K-9 reportedly alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
Deputies searched the vehicle and reportedly discovered around 50 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills and four pounds of suspected cocaine.
Mejia was arrested and booked on suspicion of the possession and transportation of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales. His bail was set at $2 million, according to authorities.