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Search Menu Login Reset Password Home Weather Archive Sign Up for Alerts Full Site Close Menu Juan Manuel Orozco ARREST Troopers seize almost 3 pounds of meth and heroin after traffic stop, foot chase By Nick Morgan May 06, 2016 - 1:16 PM Strange behavior during a traffic stop Wednesday led to the arrest of a Grants Pass man and the seizure of almost 3 pounds of heroin and methamphetamine, police said. Juan Manuel Orozco, 46, of Grants Pass allegedly attempted to run away from Oregon State Police troopers Wednesday night following a traffic stop near Ashland. He was allegedly carrying a backpack containing 1.5 pounds of heroin and 1.2 pounds of crystal meth, documents filed in Jackson County Circuit Court show. The driver, Andres Valencia, 47, of Rogue River, remains on the loose, court records state. Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Orozco and Valencia were stopped in a black Chrysler 300 near milepost 17 on northbound Interstate 5. During the stop, troopers noticed a strong scent of air freshener coming from the vehicle, multiple bags in the back seat, and the occupants of the vehicle allegedly behaving "suspiciously." Valencia allegedly had beads of sweat coming down his forehead, police said, despite rainy weather and a temperature of close to 50 degrees outside. Valencia allegedly showed other signs of nervousness, such as odd laughter and uncontrollable giggles when asked if there were drugs in the car, according to an affidavit. During the stop, Valencia and and Orozco allegedly spoke briefly to each other in Spanish before Valencia sped away from police, the affidavit said. Valencia stopped the vehicle after driving about 100 yards to let Orozco out, then drove away. Orozco allegedly jumped over a guard rail into a ravine with blackberry bushes and a large tree while carrying the backpack, then attempted to hide in the bushes for approximately two minutes before he surrendered to police. OSP pursued Valencia in the Chrysler but called off the pursuit for public safety reasons, the documents say. Police said they executed a search warrant on the bag Orozco carried after a narcotics dog alerted on the bag. Police said they found the heroin and methamphetamine inside. Orozco requested a court-appointed lawyer and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday on charges of manufacturing, distributing and possessing methamphetamine and heroin. Orozco remained Friday in the Jackson County Jail on $1 million bail. His next court date is scheduled for May 12. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrime Beat. Popular Today Medford's Pint Rider will offer pedal pub tour Meth, heroin seized in I-5 traffic stop Hope in L.I.F.E. Truck carrying hydrochloric acid crashes into wrong-way driver near Grants Pass Ashland man used girl to make sex videos Caldera strikes gold with Ashland Amber Body found in Lake Siskiyou identified Latest Photo Galleries home search Full Site video weather daily archive txt alerts about mobile website limelight deals jobs real estate © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Full Site