Oregon Police Say Traffic Stop Led to Seizure of 20 Kilos of Cocaine

They say it led to one arrest on Interstate 5 south of Woodburn.

Cocaine photograph - Oregon State Police Rios Ruiz photograph - Marion County Sheriff's Office

(WOODBURN, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers say they arrested a Clackamas man Tuesday after they discovered 20 kilos of cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 south of Woodburn.

The OSP's Lieutenant Gregg Hastings says the cocaine was hidden in a sport utility vehicle the man was driving northbound on the freeway.

"The approximate 44 pounds of cocaine has an estimated value of $400,000, and OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing the investigation," he said.

The traffic stop happened yesterday at approximately 11:38 AM, Hastings said. Hastings says an OSP trooper, accompanied by a drug detection canine, stopped the 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe near milepost 268 for speed, lane change, and tinted window violations.

During the contact the driver was identified as 25-year old Sabas Rios Ruiz of Clackamas. Hastings says Rios-Ruiz consented to the trooper's request to search the vehicle.

"During the search, the drug detection canine helped locate 20 kilos of cocaine in a sophisticated rear false compartment of the Chevrolet Tahoe," Hastings said.

Rios-Ruiz was taken into custody and subsequently lodged in Marion County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail. He is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine, and Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance – Cocaine.

OSP Drug Enforcement Section detectives are continuing the investigation. Hastings says the 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.