Drug team reveals details of Madras meth bust, two arrests
Central Oregon drug agents on Tuesday released the details of a Madras raid nearly three months ago that resulted in the seizure of more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as a stolen gun and nearly $17,000 in cash. A Madras man and Prineville woman were arrested at the time.
The details of the seizure and arrests were not released at the time due to the investigation, which is still ongoing, said Lt. Nick Parker of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team.
The CODE Team began an investigation on May 19 into meth trafficking in the area, Parker said. They learned that day that Ronald Wayne Trasher, 47, of Madras, was trafficking several pounds of meth and was in possession of a large amount of the drug, he added.
Investigators learned Thrasher lived in the 8100 block of Northwest Deschutes Drive in Madras and drove a 2008 blue Pontiac Grand Am, Parker said. CODE Team investigators notified area police of the investigation and asked them to watch for Thrasher and the car.
About 7:45 p.m. that night, an Oregon State Police sergeant found Thrasher’s car on Highway 26 near Southeast Dover Lane in Jefferson County, with Talina Shantel Ortiz, 43, of Prineville, driving it, Parker said.
Thrasher then arrived at the traffic stop location in a different car and was contacted by the OSP sergeant. He was taken into custody on meth delivery charges.
A search warrant was executed at Thrasher’s home on Deschutes Drive about 10:35 p.m. that night, Parker said The raid turned up the 15 pounds of meth worth more than $90,000, as well as $16,965 in cash, a stolen handgun from Portland, brass knuckles, packaging material, digital scales and drug ledgers, all of which were seized.
Thrasher was arrested on meth possession, manufacture and delivery charges, as well as first-degree theft, felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of a restricted weapon. Ortiz was taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant and on meth possession, manufacture and delivery charges.
