A Washington man has been sentenced to more than six years in state prison after a routine traffic stop on **Interstate 5 in Tehama County, California**, led authorities to discover a large quantity of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in cash. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to intercept illegal narcotics being transported along one of California’s busiest highway corridors.
According to the **Tehama County Sheriff’s Office**, **Javier Mendoza-Zamora, 48, of Washington**, was sentenced to **six years and four months in state prison** following his arrest in May 2026. Prosecutors secured the conviction after investigators linked him to the transportation of a significant amount of methamphetamine intended for distribution.
The investigation began shortly after **12:39 a.m. on May 9, 2026**, when Tehama County sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a northbound vehicle traveling on **Interstate 5 near Cottonwood**. During the stop, deputies identified Mendoza-Zamora as the driver and proceeded with their investigation after observing circumstances that prompted additional scrutiny.
As part of the traffic stop, **K-9 Silas**, a narcotics detection dog with the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, performed a free-air sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. The canine alerted deputies to the possible presence of illegal drugs, providing probable cause for officers to conduct a detailed search of the vehicle.
During the search, deputies discovered **more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine**, a quantity investigators say is consistent with drug trafficking rather than personal use. Officers also recovered **more than $11,000 in cash**, which authorities believe was connected to the illegal narcotics operation. The methamphetamine was seized as evidence, preventing the drugs from reaching communities where they could have been distributed.
Following his arrest, Mendoza-Zamora was charged in connection with the transportation and possession of methamphetamine for sale. The case moved through the California court system, ultimately resulting in his conviction and sentence of **six years and four months in state prison**.
Law enforcement officials said the case demonstrates the value of proactive highway enforcement and the important role played by trained K-9 units in identifying hidden narcotics during routine traffic stops. Authorities continue to monitor Interstate 5, which remains one of the primary transportation routes used by drug traffickers moving illegal substances throughout California and neighboring states.
