Document text
Three Washington men are in the Jackson County Jail on felony drug charges after an Oregon State Police traffic stop on Interstate 5 Friday morning near Ashland yielded more than 37 pounds of cocaine. Oregon State Police Lt. Josh Brooks said a trooper from the Central Point Area Command pulled over a 2002 Buick Regal at 8:27 a.m. near milepost 17 for seatbelt violations. Brooks said the trooper became suspicious and asked for a drug detection dog from the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team. The dog Rainey, assigned to the team from Jackson County Community Justice, alerted on the car, leading to the seizure of 17 kilograms — or a little over 37 pounds — of packaged cocaine from a hidden compartment in the car.  "They (also) seized $5,980 in currency," Brooks said. The driver, 26-year-old Christopher M. Winters of Mill Creek, Wash., and his two passengers, 36-year-old Taylor L. Thruelsen and 37-year-old Christopher K. Carrigan — both of Issaquah, Wash. — were all arrested on charges of manufacture, delivery and possession of cocaine. They're being held in jail on $65,000 bail each. — Thomas Moriarty