This undated photo provided by the Sheriff County Department of Ventura shows a phony license plate. A big truck driver was arrested after the authorities discovered this phony license plate on his truck. (Photo: Department of the Sheriff County of Ventura)

A semitrailer driver was arrested after a California motorcycle police officer discovered his fake registration plate.

David Anaya, senior police assistant at Moorpark, was assisting another motorist last month when he spotted a trailer with "a multitude of mechanical violations". The truck also had a fictional black plate from the 1960s with the flickering yellow writing of "Califas", instead of California, as well as a series of letters and numbers.

"What really caught my eye is the registration plate – especially the lettering above where he had written" Califas, "said Anaya." That's what's stayed like a sore thumb. "

Anaya parked the truck and noticed that the driver, Jorge Salazar, 41, appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. He saw a small amount of methamphetamine in plain sight and found that Salazar had an outstanding warrant for a hit and run.

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In addition to this false plaque, Salazar was arrested for "driving under the influence, possession of methamphetamine, unlicensed driver and active arrest warrant," according to a statement from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Having an altered plaque is illegal in the state of California, said Anaya, and the civil penalties for this violation can range from $ 600 to $ 800.

Salazar was sentenced to prison, but has since been released on bail, the police told KTLA. The trailer was towed because the line was considered dangerous, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities said the department has beefed up its commercial traffic control measures for safety reasons and has towed more than 60 semi-trailers and commercial vehicles since the beginning of last year.

"Moorpark Police Department representatives will continue to enforce California's vehicle code for commercial vehicles operating in the city," authorities said in a press release. "As stated above, these directed efforts are aimed at ensuring safe travel for all motorists."

Follow N & # 39; dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg

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