Two men were arrested for allegedly trafficking meth and cocaine from Southern Oregon to the Central Oregon. On February 1st, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team concluded an investigation with the arrests of two men. During a concurrent investigation, CODE detectives identified a La Pine man as a drug trafficker in the central Oregon area. The initial investigation alleges he imported controlled substances from the southern Oregon area into central Oregon, where he distributed them into the community.
After a surveillance operation, Oregon State Police Troopers stopped a vehicle driven by the suspect on Highway 97 at milepost 191. This was in rural Klamath County, between Crescent and Gilchrist. CODE drug detection K9, Bonnie, was deployed and alerted to the presence of a controlled substance inside the sedan and luggage. Both the driver and a passenger consented to a search of the vehicle and luggage.
As a result, CODE Detectives and OSP Troopers gathered and seized a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, a user quantity of powder fentanyl, and a loaded 9mm pistol.
A “commercial quantity” is defined by statute as ten grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. This is not a separate criminal charge but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines. Both suspects were booked into Klamath County Sheriff’s Jail for possession and attempting to deliver a controlled substance. The La Pine man was also charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon.
