MARION COUNTY, Ore. (Jan. 26, 2026) — Oregon State Police seized roughly 44 pounds of illegal drugs during a traffic stop last week near Ankeny Hill in Marion County, leading to the arrest of a lone driver and a federal investigation.
A state trooper stopped a northbound vehicle on Interstate 5 near milepost 243 at about 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, for a traffic violation, police said. During the stop, the trooper observed discrepancies involving the vehicle’s ownership and travel information, which raised suspicions of possible drug trafficking activity.
Troopers requested a drug-detection canine team, and the dog alerted to the exterior of the vehicle, authorities said. A subsequent search uncovered approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine and 18 pounds of cocaine packed inside a duffel bag.
The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken into custody at the scene. Because of the large quantity of narcotics seized, both the suspect and the drugs were turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and potential federal prosecution.
Oregon State Police said the seizure highlights ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking along Interstate 5, a major transportation corridor frequently used to move illegal drugs through the Pacific Northwest.
No additional information about the suspect was immediately released. The investigation remains ongoing.
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