Crime Brief: Drug money seized on Interstate 5

Tehama Interagency Drug Enforcement agents this week seized more than $300,000 in suspected drug money during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 south of Sourgrass Road.

A red Jeep Cherokee driven by Juan Jose Mendoza, 41, of French Camp, was stopped at 2:30 p.m. Monday by a California Highway Patrol officer, whose canine alerted on possible narcotics, the TIDE agency reported.

A search of the vehicle discovered a concealed manufactured compartment, TIDE reported. Inside the compartment agents repoted locating 10 large packages containing money.

The total was $300,040, TIDE reported. Based on interviews with the occupants of the vehicle and the reported evidence, agents said the money was from drug proceeds.

The funds were seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

Mendoza was arrested and booked into the Tehama County Jail on suspicion of use of a concealed compartment and possession of more than $100,000 in drug proceeds. Bail was set at $30,000.