On March 21, 2023, at approximately 2:30 PM, an Oregon State Police Senior Trooper stopped a 2015 Nissan Altima for a vehicle equipment violation and for failure of a slower-moving vehicle to yield to overtaking vehicle, on northbound US 97 near milepost 161, in Deschutes County. During the traffic stop, the Senior Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity.
An OSP narcotics detection canine was applied to the vehicle and alerted to the presence of a narcotic odor coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted. The Senior Trooper located approximately 36 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, and approximately two pounds of suspected heroin, which were concealed within the vehicle.
The driver identified as Anabel Torres (38), of Sunnyside, Washington, and the passenger identified as Audel Torres Perez, (38), of Sunnyside, Washington, were interviewed and released pending referred charges.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Oregon State Police detectives assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team, Oregon State Police Southwest Region Marijuana Team, and the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative).
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.