Police detectives, armed with information gathered during a separate investigation, set up a surveillance operation in order to nab two alleged meth dealers they learned were planning to make a large drug delivery to the Redmond, Oregon area Friday evening.

Armando Diaz Diaz (left), Jose Castor (right) - DCJ photos

Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team detectives, Deschutes County Street Crimes Unit (SCU) members, and Redmond Police officers arrested Armando Diaz Diaz, a 35-year old Metolius resident, and Jose Castor, 31, a transient from the Madras area, about 6 p.m., February 22.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Sgt. Mitchell Meyer, working in capacity with CODE, the separate investigation provided information including the identity of the suspects and a description of their vehicle. Police were watching the north end of Deschutes County in order to intercept the “load of methamphetamine” before it reached its final destination, Sgt. Meyer said.

Diaz Diaz and Castor were stopped at they entered the north end of Redmond, and detectives searched their 1990 Honda Civic. Packing materials and about one-quarter pound of meth – about $11,600 worth on the street – were discovered and seized, Meyer reported.

The two men were taken into custody and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail. They are charged with possession, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine.

• Throw the book at them and I am tired, tired of their crap. Make prisons called Strawberry fields. let the crooks do work harvesting. iI we have to keep people in jail, they can harvest crops and pay restitution. All crims. should be doing this if they are low risk.
(Posted on February 25, 2008, 7:46 pm Roc)