CHP finds 133 pounds of meth

Federal prosecutors have charged a man with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in connection with a late February traffic stop in which officers allegedly uncovered 133 pounds of methamphetamine, court records show.

Norberto Terriquez Hernandez, 28, faces a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine if convicted, according to court records. The charging records accuse Hernandez of being a drug courier, alleging he was pulled over in eastern unincorporated Alameda County while driving the car west toward Livermore.

A California Highway Patrol officer pulled Hernandez over for speeding and used a drug-sniffing dog on the car. After the dog allegedly alerted police that there were drugs in the car, officers conducted a search. The 133 pounds of meth were found in boxes located in the trunk, according to the criminal complaint.

“I know that crystal methamphetamine sells in pound quantities for approximately $2,000 to $3,000 in the Bay Area,” Connor Hooper, a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration agent, wrote in the criminal complaint. He added, “Therefore, Hernandez was likely entrusted by other members of his drug trafficking network to transport and/or distribute contraband valued around $266,000 to $399,000.”

Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep Hernandez in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin for the duration of his case, arguing that the alleged crime “exploits those addicted to the drug.” A federal judge is expected to rule on the motion today.