An Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop south of Cottage Grove Sunday morning led to the arrest of a Vancouver, Washington man after the trooper found inside the vehicle approximately 23 oz. of marijuana and four weapons, two of which were stolen, in possession of the driver who is a convicted felon.
According to Lieutenant Rob Edwards, on December 19, 2010 at approximately 10:40 a.m. an OSP trooper stopped a 2000 Plymouth van displaying Washington license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 170 for a traffic violation. The vehicle's single occupant was identified as driver MICHAEL N. BRACHAIS, age 34, from Vancouver, Washington.
Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of fourteen glass jars containing marijuana with a total weight of approximately 23 ounces in a duffel bag. Also discovered in the bag were two pistols, one of which were stolen, and under the bag rolled up in a blanket was a 12 gauge shotgun and a .22 caliber rifle. The rifle was also reported stolen.
BRACHAIS was arrested and taken to the Lane County Jail for Unlawful Possession, Distribution, and Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, four counts of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and two counts of Theft in the First Degree.
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
