Over 13 Pounds of Marijuana Found at Traffic Crash Scene, Three Arrested

(GRANTS PASS) - Oregon State Police troopers arrested three Portland-area men Saturday night after responding to a single vehicle rollover crash northbound Interstate 5 near Rogue River and finding over 13 pounds of marijuana.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Mark Byrd and Senior Trooper Greg Costanzo, with his drug dog "Cookie", responded to a single vehicle rollover crash northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 48 around 6:30 PM Saturday.

Upon arriving at the scene, police say they found there were three occupants one of which subsequently was transported for treatment of minor injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicated a 2002 Ford Explorer driven by 35-year old Scott Firkus of Milwaukie, Oregon was northbound on Interstate 5 when it drifted into the center median and rolled several times. Firkus was accompanied in the vehicle by two male passengers identified as 23-year old Matthew kahoe of from northeast Portland, and 34-year old William Walker of Oregon City.

All three occupants were using safety restraints. Firkus was not injured. Walker received minor scrapes and bruises but was not transported for treatment. Kahoe was transported to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass where he was treated and released for minor injuries.

While at the scene investigating the crash, troopers say they detected an odor of marijuana coming from a large duffel bag. Troopers, with the assistance of their drug dog, subsequently discovered approximately 13.5 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated street value of $40,000.

Firkus, Kahoe and Walker were taken into custody and later lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Felony Unlawful Possession and Distribution of Marijuana.

The investigation is continuing with the assistance of Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section detectives.

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Comments

Comments are Closed on this story.

scott firkus March 6, 2010 9:13 pm (Pacific time)

I did my time and paid for my crime at osp. it was one hell of a ride. What a hell hoe i was.I want to thank everyone for the surrport.THE POLICE were gust doing there job and so was i MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY!!

Editor: Thanks for checking in Scott, glad to know people are moving forward.

jw February 17, 2009 4:49 pm (Pacific time)

Thats so gay that he got a felony for havin some ganja and he lost all of it too! what the hell? legalize it mon!

Anonymous December 18, 2008 10:17 am (Pacific time)

WAT A SHAME TO LOSE A BEATIFUL PLANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BIBI LNC December 18, 2008 10:16 am (Pacific time)

damn wat a shame to lose such a beatiful plant!!!

livelife December 9, 2008 2:45 pm (Pacific time)

weed cames the nerve ive know anyone to go out and kill no one because the are high on weed

bri firkus 17 November 1, 2008 4:33 am (Pacific time)

my dad got out almost a month ago. it was 3 years sence i have seen my dad or my brothers. my step mom could not even look at me cuz i reminded her of my dad so i did not get to see my dad or my 2 brothers for 3years! and ya that is my dad. and it did hurt me but i still love my dad. i dont care what any one has to say bad about me or my dad everyone has different ways of liven and that was his. dont juge a book by its cover or what you hear about it untell you read it.and ya i loved telling my friends about my dad. every one just needs to smock and people wont have sicks in there butts all day every day!!!!!

mirza August 21, 2008 12:27 am (Pacific time)

I have not smoked any weed in a while, but hat looks like some grade A stuff. Too bad that "they" got their hands on it.

amanda March 7, 2008 3:20 pm (Pacific time)

the cops have nothin better to do they need to let him out so he can come be with his family.. there are biger and worse people out there..all it was is fricking weed!!!

justice minister January 4, 2008 4:20 am (Pacific time)

it should be against the law for the police to search any persons property without consent!! injured or not! i hope u got a promotion for that 1 P.S get a real job i mean the cops!!!!!!!

budsella July 6, 2007 1:29 am (Pacific time)

thas alot of grass not even illegal in africa legalize now

justafter419@aim.com June 16, 2007 7:21 pm (Pacific time)

society is going down the drain. i used to be proud to be american, no longer. i shall move to another country who doesn't ruin the life of people committing non-crimes. Tobacco kills millions, marijuana has killed none directly. I'm positive people have died while smoking or stoned, but that doesn't mean it's dangerous. Use your heads people. Weed isn't hurting anyone..... LEGALIZE!!!

i love weed June 5, 2007 7:17 am (Pacific time)

its a damn shame that no one but an incinerator got to smoke that FIRE weed

Anonymous May 31, 2007 7:05 am (Pacific time)

First of all they should have been more worried about there injuries than the marijuana. Secont what the big deal about marijuana its natural unlike ciggarets which have TAR in them. Thrid why put people in jail for possesion. It crouds jails, breaks apart families, and the possable felony charge may ruin some ones life.

POTHEADS IN TEXAS! May 24, 2007 12:29 pm (Pacific time)

seriously just think about it they caught him with a bunch of smelly plants in a bag he was just trying to bring the supply of demand to us cannibus lovers.

The Editor May 23, 2007 1:54 pm (Pacific time)

The sad case who claims to be this person's kid, that is using major profanity in a comment, needs to find a new place to get news. The news Website has the only medical marijuana doctor in the world answering questions for the general public. Why don't you teach your dad how to drive and spare us your BS, it will never be published here.

seroiusly May 14, 2007 1:47 pm (Pacific time)

its just weed bro seroiusly let them go

icp4ever March 6, 2007 10:57 am (Pacific time)

mmmm looks tasty.

Anonymous January 20, 2007 5:44 pm (Pacific time)

HE IS GETTING WHAT HE DESERVES!!! WHAT A ROLE MODEL FOR CHILDREN ... HIS DAUGHTER SAYS THAT HE WAS TRYING TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY. IS THIS A REAL JOB THAT SHE CAN TELL HER FRIENDS ABOUT ???? WHAT LIFE SKILLS ARE INVOLVED ???

Been waiting.. September 30, 2006 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

this is scotts customer Let him go!

bri firkus 15 September 6, 2006 8:53 pm (Pacific time)

this is scotts daghter and i just wont to say my dad is a good preson and he was just trying to suport his family and my i have 2 brither zack(7> and luck(3) they are grat kids plz dont make him go way i love my dad hes my life and i care about him a lot that all i have to say

Anonymous July 23, 2006 9:24 am (Pacific time)

They shouldn't blame these guys.. Some one has to drive our dank to us. Best Wishes to them.

FE July 19, 2006 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

Over a Billion people will die this century from the legal substance tobacco, and our goverment is protecting the children from an herb? Please!

Yup July 18, 2006 1:46 pm (Pacific time)

It's a shame that these guys and their families will be so tortured and torn apart. All over a plant, one that grows vigorously on every continent except Antarctica.

pj July 18, 2006 2:43 am (Pacific time)

we should eliminate the black market for this widely used drug by legalizing it

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