Interstate 5 became the stage for a significant drug bust earlier this week when Oregon State Police conducted a seemingly routine traffic stop that led to the discovery of a large drug cache. According to a press release from the Oregon State Police, a white Chevrolet Impala was pulled over near Linn County on Tuesday for an unlawful lane change. The traffic stop at approximately 2 PM soon escalated beyond a minor traffic violation.
During the stop, the trooper noted signs of drug activity, leading them to gain permission to search the vehicle thoroughly. It was inside the car's trunk that approximately 60 pounds of powdered fentanyl were found, representing a significant quantity of this potent synthetic opioid. This seizure underscores the ongoing battle law enforcement faces in trying to curb the spread of illegal narcotics on the streets.
The driver, identified as 46-year-old Jose I Iribe of Oakland, California, was immediately arrested for unlawful possession of fentanyl. Following his arrest, he was transferred into the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for further investigation. Mr. Iribe is currently being held as part of an ongoing investigation.
