November 6, 2007

Moro traffic stop yields 72 pounds of pot
Street value could be as much as $250,000

By RODGER NICHOLS
of The Dalles Chronicle

     A Los Angeles resident and a Sunnyside, Wash. resident are being charged in Sherman County, following a traffic stop Saturday that yielded more than 72 pounds of marijuana, according to a Sherman County sheriff’s office release
Sherman County Deputy Brian Hulke and his K9 dog, “Benny,” stopped a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix with two occupants for no license plates on Highway 97 about 3:30 p.m. The stop occured at High School Loop Road outside of Moro.
     The driver identified herself as Leticia Vargas-Ramirez, 23, from Sunnyside.      Her male passenger was later identified as Hector Elenar Mejia-Ramirez, 36, from Los Angeles.
     During the traffic stop, Deputy Hulke determined that the vehicle did not have insurance.
     Following Sherman County sheriff’s office policy, Deputy Hulke began a vehicle impound process for lack of insurance.
     Deputy John Terrel, who is proficient in Spanish, arrived to assist Deputy Hulke. Deputy Hulke deployed his K9 dog “Benny.” Benny searched the area around the outside of the car and gave the alert signal in the trunk area.
     A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 72 pounds of marijuana in large bags in the trunk. The marijuana has an estimated street value of a quarter of a million dollars.
     Sherman County Sheriff Brad Lohrey said in the Monday press release that “this is the largest amount of marijuana seized during a traffic stop in the history of Sherman County Sheriff’s Office. This is the third seizure of large quantities of marijuana the Sheriff’s Office has taken off of Highway 97 since January 1, 2007.”
     Previously this year, Lohrey said, his office has seized 55 pounds in one stop and eight pounds in another.
     “This stop consisted of good team work and great police work.” Sheriff Lohrey said.
     Sherman County District Attorney Wade McLeod stated “Once again, this seizure is proof positive that Sherman County has a drug trafficking problem and law enforcement is addressing this issue accordingly”.
     Both Mejia-Ramirez and Vargas-Ramirez were arrested for unlawful delivery of marijuana, substantial quantity and possession of marijuana, substantial quantity.
     Sheriff Lohrey noted The Oregon State Sheriff’s Association offers a reward for reporting marijuana growers in an effort to protect our youth.
     Anyone with information may report growers at 1-800-624-4405.