Posted: July 29th, 2009 3:43 PM
Two recent ongoing investigations by the interagency Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team during the past few months have reached the point that the release of information will not affect the integrity of the investigations.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Sergeant Jim Johnson, the first mentioned investigation involved RADE detectives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that recently led to the arrest of two people for numerous drug related charges in the Grants Pass area. Two others were also lodged on unrelated offenses.
On July 8, 2009, at approximately 9:30 a.m. investigators followed up on a tip and contacted ALFREDO AZAMAR, age 44, after he got off a commercial bus line and made contact with another person identified as SAUL BAHENA-RODRIGUEZ, age 46, at a Grants Pass Parkway market. During the subsequent investigation related to the tip AZAMAR told investigators he was carrying a bag containing bread. Further inspection revealed the bag actually contained two ounces of cocaine intermingled with the pastries. His backpack also had approximately one pound of methamphetamine concealed within a pair of jeans.
Subsequent investigative efforts led to the service of a search warrant at AZAMAR's residence at 1621 Medart Lane in Grants Pass. Detectives seized over $6,000 cash, a .38 caliber firearm, scales, packaging material, and other evidence. AZAMAR was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:
* Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
* Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine
* Unlawful Manufacturing of Cocaine
* Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
* Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine
* Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine
* ICE hold
BAHENA-RODRIGUEZ was also arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:
* Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
* Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine
* Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
* Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine
* ICE hold
Two other men, ages 41 and 47, contacted during the investigation were detained by ICE agents on unlawful immigration-related offenses.
"During this interagency investigation, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety detectives provided invaluable support," said Johnson. "The end result was another example of how agencies working together can keep drugs from reaching into our communities."
In the second case, RADE detectives arrested one person on drug-related charges and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.
Johnson said the second case was prompted by the June 10th arrest of LAURA J. BERRY, age 38, by a GPDPS patrolman on methamphetamine-related charges. At the time, BERRY was in possession of six (6) 1/8 oz. packets of methamphetamine. On June 15, 2009, RADE and Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) detectives served a search warrant at BERRY'S residence located at 4165 Granite Hill Road.
While executing the search warrant detectives seized $2,750.00 cash, scales, packaging material, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and other evidence. At the time, BERRY was home with her children when the warrant was served. She was arrested a second time on June 15th and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:
* Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
* Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine
* Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine
* Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor
Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity or marijuana growing operations is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.
The interagency narcotics RADE team is comprised of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Josephine County Community Corrections.
