On April 27, 2023, at about 09:44 A.M., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 5, headed northbound, just north of Market St in Salem. The Trooper observed several signs of criminal activity and asked the driver if there were any drugs in the vehicle. The driver admitted there was a small amount of cocaine near the center console. The Trooper located approximately 11.5 pounds of powder fentanyl, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 1,000 suspected fentanyl pills, and the user amount of cocaine the driver admitted to. To put this into perspective, 11.5 pounds of powder Fentanyl would provide roughly 3.5 million lethal doses of Fentanyl to the Portland Metro Area- which has a population of approximately 1.8 million people. The yellow, green, blue, and pink powders can be used to make the substance more appealing to youth. Because of fentanyl’s strength there are growing concerns about fentanyl exposure for first responders and others who might be potentially exposed. It is important now more than ever to take appropriate precautions when fentanyl might be present. The driver was interviewed by DEA Agents and taken into federal custody pending federal charges. The passenger was lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on related drug charges.
