Speeding stop ends in marijuana bust

Two people from Bend were arrested and more than 51 pounds of marijuana were seized during an Oregon State Police traffic stop Saturday on Interstate 84 east of La Grande.

According to OSP Sgt. Larry Graves, at approximately 10:30 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a rented 2009 Nissan Altima displaying California license plates eastbound on the freeway near milepost 278 after noting the car’s speed at 84 mph in a 65 mph speed zone.

Contacted during the stop were driver Tisha Maelou Niles, 25, and passenger Jeffrey Davey Stratton, 28, both from Bend.

Another trooper and an OSP drug detection canine assisted during the traffic stop and discovery of the estimated $130,000 worth of marijuana.

Stratton and Niles were arrested without incident on charges of unlawful possession, distribution and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Stratton was lodged in the Union County jail. Niles was cited to appear in Union County Circuit Court.

OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.