Minnesota man arrested in Hwy. 97 drug bust
An Oregon State Police trooper’s Highway 97 traffic stop last Wednesday about 15 miles north of Madras led to the seizure of about 31 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of a Minnesota man, troopers said Monday.
OSP Drug Enforcement Section has been conducting a follow-up investigation and has agreed to release information, troopers said in explaining the delay.
Around 1:30 p.m. on March 19, a senior trooper stopped a 2008 Chrysler Sebring displaying Minnesota license plates northbound on Highway 97 near milepost 75 for a traffic violation.
The driver was identified as Daniel R. Vagle, 31, of Big Lake, Minnesota.
An investigation during the traffic stop with the assistance of an OSP drug detection dog led to the discovery of the 31 pounds of marijuana in a large duffel bag in the car’s trunk. Troopers estimated the value of the seized marijuana at $75,000.
Vagle was taken into custody by troopers and lodged in the Jefferson County Jail on drug possession and delivery charges. A jail officer said he was conditionally released after an initial court appearance the next day.
