BEND, Oregon – A traffic violation led to the arrest of three Portland men who were found with a half-pound of methamphetamine in their car Tuesday afternoon, detectives reported.

(left to right) Jose Ayala Escobedo, Carlos Alberto Virgen Campos, Ernesto Gutierrez Abrica – DCJ photos

One-half pound of meth was found in a compartment inside the trunk of the vehicle – CODE photo

Deschutes County Sheriff's K-9 "Narc" alerted on the drugs – CODE photo

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Sgt. Rob Emerson, deputies were assisted by detectives from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team after they pulled over a 1991 Toyota Corolla for a traffic violation near NE Franklin Avenue and NE Third Street about 5 p.m., April 28.

Police found the driver, 32-year old Jose Ayala Escobedo, was driving with a suspended drivers license, and he consented to a search of the vehicle.

"Narc", the seriff's office drug-detecting K9 dog, alerted on and in the vehicle, Emerson said.

More than 8 ounces of methamphetamine were found in a compartment inside the trunk, and "user amounts" of the drug were discovered on the driver and near the center console, a news release stated.

CODE detectives said they learned during the investigation that Escobedo and the other two occupants of the vehicle – Carlos Alberto Virgen Campos, 21, and 24-year old Ernesto Gutierrez Abrica – had allegedly traveled from Salem to sell drugs in the Bend area.

All three suspects were taken into custody and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail, where they each face charges of possession, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine.