WEED, Calif. — A routine traffic stop on northbound Interstate 5 near Weed turned into one of Siskiyou County’s largest drug busts in recent years when a Siskiyou County Sheriff’s deputy discovered 18 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a false compartment inside a 2022 Mazda CX-5.
On May 29, 2026, at approximately 11:50 a.m., a deputy pulled over the vehicle for a mechanical violation. The driver, identified as 32-year-old Salvador Roy Najera, Jr., was found to be unlicensed and exhibited multiple criminal indicators, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.
This prompted an inventory search of the vehicle, during which the deputy noticed irregularities suggesting an aftermarket false compartment. Backup was requested, and a narcotics detection K-9 from the Mount Shasta Police Department responded. The canine alerted positively to the presence of narcotics.
Deputies then breached the compartment and located approximately 18 kilograms (about 40 pounds) of suspected cocaine, valued at $1.9 million. Najera was arrested and booked into the Siskiyou County Jail.
He faces multiple felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession for sale, use of a false compartment to conceal a controlled substance (Health and Safety Code 11366.8), and smuggling a controlled substance into a correctional facility. He is being held on $100,000 bail. The investigation remains ongoing.
Everyday Vehicle, Hidden Operation
The Mazda CX-5, a compact crossover typically associated with family use rather than criminal activity, highlights a common tactic used by drug traffickers: concealing large quantities of narcotics in unassuming vehicles with custom modifications. False compartments can involve altered body panels, floors, or interior structures that deviate from factory specifications.
Under California law, the use of such a compartment for concealing drugs is a distinct offense that can elevate penalties when combined with transportation and sales-related charges.
I-5 as a Trafficking Corridor
Interstate 5 serves as a major north-south drug trafficking route through Northern California. Siskiyou County’s position along the highway makes it a key area for interdiction efforts by local, state, and federal agencies.
This seizure follows another significant cocaine bust earlier in 2026 on the same corridor. In April, a California Highway Patrol stop in the Yreka area yielded about 20 kilograms of suspected cocaine in a hidden compartment.
The Power of Routine Enforcement
This case underscores how vigilant traffic enforcement — starting from something as straightforward as a mechanical violation — can disrupt larger criminal operations. Deputies credit the deputy’s observations, proper procedure, and inter-agency support with the successful outcome.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate potential connections or additional individuals involved.
Source: Official Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office press release and multiple corroborating local news reports.
