Robert GrahamThe California Highway Patrol seized nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine from a vehicle involved in a pursuit Tuesday morning.
CHP officers from the Southern Division attempted to stop a white Ford F-150 on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights after it drove over a “gore point,” the triangular section of roadway between the freeway and an off-ramp.
The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, taking off and leading authorities on a pursuit through several surface streets and freeways. The chase ultimately came to an end on 2nd Street, just west of Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles, CHP said.
After the stop, officers searched the vehicle with the help of a police K-9 and discovered a large tote filled with 190 pounds of bagged methamphetamine with an estimated street value, according to CHP, of over $3.4 million.
“K-9 Axel, a 5-year-old Czech shepherd trained for dual-purpose narcotics detection and patrol, played a crucial role in the bust,” wrote CHP officials on social media. “His keen detection skills were instrumental in locating the large quantity of drugs.”
Officers also recovered about $5,000 in cash, and an image of a handgun was also shared in the social media post.