Police Name Man in Freeway Cocaine Arrest

The approximately 66 pounds of cocaine has an estimated value of $600,000.

26-year old David Chico Monjaraz III was arrested on several charges relating to a freeway traffic stop Saturday. Marion County Sheriff's Office. Cocaine photos courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Washington State man was arrested Saturday afternoon when an Oregon State Police trooper reportedly discovered 31 kilos of cocaine concealed in a sport utility vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 in the Salem area.

State police have released the man's name and age, but no further information is being released due to the ongoing investigation, OSP Spokesman Greg Hastings said.

The vehicle was pulled over Saturday January 19th at 12:20 PM for speed and lane change violations. Police say 26-year old David Chico Monjaraz III was operating a 2005 Nissan Armada sport utility vehicle displaying out-of-state license plates.

The trooper pulled the car over when it was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 253.

Hastings says the during contact with Monjaraz, the vehicle's lone occupant, the trooper subsequently found 31 kilos of cocaine in a false compartment located in the rear cargo area.

The approximately 66 pounds of cocaine has an estimated value of $600,000.

Hastings says Monjaraz was taken into custody and lodged in Marion County Jail on charges of Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine, Unlawful Possession of Cocaine and Conspiracy to Unlawfully Deliver a Controlled Substance - Cocaine.

He added that OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing the investigation.