Oregon Cops Bust Kirkland Woman For 5 Pounds of Pot

A 37-year-old Kirkland woman pulled over on Intestate 5 near Salem, Oregon, Monday night was arrested when five pounds of marijuana were found in the car’s trunk, say Oregon State Police.

The police say they also recovered a small amount of cocaine.

The woman was driving a 2002 Mercury Sable with Washington license plates northbound on I-5 when she was stopped by a trooper at about 11:12 p.m. for a traffic violation.

About five pounds of pot were found in a suitcase in the vehicle’s trunk, and Oregon State Police (OSP) estimated its value at $12,500. The cocaine was found in a backpack.

The woman was pulled over for following another vehicle too closely, said OSP spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings. He would not say what led police to search the vehicle.

"We don't go into those details, but subsequent investigation led the trooper to look in the trunk," he said.

The woman was arrested without incident and is now in the Marion County Jail in Salem. The Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.

Kirkland Patch generally does not reveal names of people suspected of a crime until they are charged. We will update the story with any developments.