On November 27, 2017, around 12:02 p.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a 2017 Nissan Maxima for a traffic violation on I-5 NB near MP 7 in Jackson County. The male driver failed to present a driver’s license and was later identified as Adam Smith, age 44 from Seattle, WA. A female passenger, Bonita Alvarado, age 44 from Seattle, WA, was contacted and Troopers observed a package of drugs lying on the vehicle floorboard between Alvarado’s feet. The vehicle was searched and three additional packages of drugs were located inside the vehicle. Additional follow up investigation determined the occupants were traveling from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA. The package of drugs located between Alvarado’s feet was identified as 2.2 lbs of cocaine. The three additional packages of drugs were identified as 6.6 lbs of heroin. Smith and Alvarado were arrested and lodged into the Jackson County jail on the following charges: Unlawful Delivery of Heroin; Unlawful Possession of Heroin; Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine; Unlawful Possession of Cocaine. The Oregon State Police was participating in a High Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Domestic Highway Enforcement effort when this vehicle was stopped. The Oregon State Police partners with HIDTA to combat the illicit transport of illegal narcotics by conducting Domestic Highway Enforcement patrols throughout the year. Additional Patrol Troopers, K-9’s and Drug Enforcement Section Detectives assisted during this enforcement efforts by patrolling I-5 and secondary state highways in Jackson County. The Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) Strategy promotes collaborative, intelligence-led, unbiased policing in coordinated and mutually supportive multi-jurisdictional law enforcement efforts on the Nation’s highways. The DHE strategy both improves the investigative efforts of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) in attacking drug trafficking organizations and has significant impact on traffic safety, homeland security, and other crimes. HIDTA Domestic Highway Enforcement Goals: To enhance investigations leading to the disruption and dismantlement of the drug trafficking and money laundering organizations that use the Nation’s highways as a means of transporting illegal drugs, currency, and other contraband and illicit commodities from one location to another. To cultivate and share intelligence information pertaining to individuals and organizations who use the Nation’s highways as a means of transporting illegal drugs, currency, and other illicit commodities or create other threats and hazards on those highways. To promote shared operational planning, intelligence, and coordination among Federal, state, and local law enforcement to improve their ability to effectively address all crimes, threats, and hazards relating to our Nation’s highways.
