Two California residents were arrested Tuesday night when an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper discovered approximately 23 pounds of cocaine in their vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Central Point. OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing the investigation. On December 3, 2013 at approximately 10:24 p.m., an OSP trooper stopped a Chrysler Sebring four-door displaying California license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 32 for a speed violation. The trooper identified the two occupants as driver VINCENT MICHAEL MENDEZ, age 22, from Spring Valley, California, and passenger ALYSSA PANZIERA, age 21, from Salinas, California. Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led the trooper to discover 10 kilos (approximately 23 lbs) of cocaine concealed inside the vehicle’s passenger compartment. Estimated value of the seized cocaine is over $500,000. MENDEZ and PANZIERA were both arrested and lodged in the Jackson County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine.
