Cocaine worth $400,000 seized in Woodburn traffic stop

Mar 06,2008 00:00 by Bend_Weekly_News_Sources

WOODBURN, Ore. -- A 25-year old Clackamas man is in jail after he was arrested Tuesday during a traffic stop for speeding and other traffic infractions on Interstate 5 south of Woodburn when police found 44 pounds of cocaine worth $400,000 in his vehicle.

44 pounds of cocaine worth about $400,000 was found in the suspect's vehicle - OSP photo. Sabas Rios Ruiz (inset) - MCSO photo.

According to an Oregon State Police (OSP) news release, a trooper stopped a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe for speed, lane change and tined window violations as it traveled north on I-5 near milepost 268 about 11:40 a.m., March 4.

The driver, Sabas Rios Ruiz, 25, consented to a search of his vehicle.

The trooper, assisted by a drug-detecting dog, discovered 20 kilos of cocaine in what was described as a sophisticated rear false compartment hidden in the SUV.

Rios Ruiz was arrested and lodged in the Marion County Jail. With bail set at $2,000,000, the suspect is charged with possession, distribution, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, OSP reported.

OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing the investigation. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Portland Police Bureau have been assisting with the follow up investigation.

This is the third major cocaine seizure by Oregon State Police troopers reported during traffic stops since October 2007. The following are brief reviews of the previous two cases:

* On October 19, 2007 at approximately 3:09 p.m. two Oregon State Police troopers, one with a drug detection canine, working traffic enforcement along Interstate 5 north of Salem saw a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle with Washington license plates having difficulty maintaining a single lane of travel. The troopers stopped the vehicle with three occupants northbound near milepost 271 at the bottom of the off ramp to Woodburn. Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing an investigation following the arrest of three men transporting 21 kilos of Cocaine and two pounds of crystal methamphetamine. Estimated value of the seized drugs is $500,000.

* On January 19, 2008 at approximately 12:20 p.m. an OSP trooper stopped a 2005 Nissan Armada sport utility vehicle displaying out-of-state license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 253 for speed and lane change violations. During contact with the lone occupant, a 26-year old male, the trooper subsequently found 31 kilos of cocaine in a false compartment located in the rear cargo area. The approximately 66 pounds of cocaine has an estimated value of $600,000.