SE Bend traffic stop turns up pot; 2 arrested

A traffic stop in southeast Bend Sunday evening led to the arrest of the driver and passenger on drug charges and a search that found a large, sealed package holding over five pounds of marijuana, ready for mailing to another state, officers said.

An officer stopped a black Audi at SE Fifth Street and Wilson Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. for failing to signal properly, said Cpl. Rob Emerson.

The driver was identified as Ashley Jena Monnier, 24, and the passenger as Brandon Lee Watkins, 27, both of Bend, Emerson said.

During the stop, the officer could smell marijuana coming from the car, Emerson said, and the pair said they had a small amount of marijuana and an illegally possessed prescription pill.

A search of Watkins found a small amount of cocaine in his pocket, and the pill was found in Monnier’s belongings, the corporal said.

A search of the car turned up a large, sealed package, prepared to be mailed to a location in another state, Emerson said. More than five pounds of marijuana was found inside.

A large amount of cash and a shotgun also were found inside the car, he added.

Watkins and Monnier were arrested and lodged at the county jail on charges of drug manufacture, delivery and possession. Both were being held on over $40,000 bail.