OSP Traffic Stop Leads to 31 Pounds of Cocaine

OSP Traffic Stop Leads to 31 lbs. of Cocaine, Two Arrests - Interstate 5 south of Canyonville

Photo of what is reportedly over 30 pounds of cocaine: Oregon State Police

(CANYONVILLE, Ore.) - Following a Friday morning traffic stop, Oregon State Police (OSP) arrested two individuals on Interstate 5 about two miles south of Canyonville after discovering approximately 31 pounds of cocaine concealed in their vehicle.

Lt. Gregg Hastings with Oregon State Police says the case and suspects have been turned over to federal authorities pending further investigation and consideration of federal charges.

On February 20, 2009 at approximately 7:00 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a 1998 Ford Explorer displaying a Washington license plate for following too close and a vehicle license violation.

Contact with the two occupants identified them as driver 19-year old Juan Manuel Jesus Lucero of Palmdale, California, and passenger, 26-year old Ray Gaytan Cuadras, whose residence is unknown.

Hastings says a subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of 14 kilos, approximately 31 lbs., of cocaine concealed inside the vehicle.

"The seized cocaine has an estimated value of approximately $450,000. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident for Unlawful Possession, Manufacturing, and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine."

He says the initial investigation with the assistance of OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives led to both suspects being turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration agents for further investigation and consideration of federal charges.

Previous significant cocaine seizures by OSP troopers during traffic stops include:

* January 19, 2008 - 31 kilos (approximately 66 lbs.) on Interstate 5 near milepost 253 with an estimated value of $900,000.

* August 20, 2008 – 30 kilos (approximately 65 lbs.) on Interstate 5 near milepost 140 with an estimated value of $900,000.

* March 4, 2008 – 20 kilos (approximately 44 lbs.) on Interstate 5 near milepost 268 with an estimated value of $600,000.

* October 19, 2007 – 21 kilos (approximately 45 lbs.) and two pounds of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated total value of $600,000.

* July 10, 2008 – 5 lbs. of cocaine on Interstate 5 near milepost 10 with an estimated value of $65,000.