OSP trooper’s I-5 traffic stop turns up 4 pounds of powdered fentanyl; driver runs across freeway, eludes manhunt

EUGENE, Ore. (KTVZ) – An Oregon State Police trooper’s traffic stop on Interstate 5 in Lane County last week turned up nearly 4 ½ pounds (2 kilograms) of powdered fentanyl, but the driver ran across the freeway into a wooded area and eluded capture.

The trooper pulled over the vehicle on Tuesday, Sept. 10 around 9:30 a.m. near milepost 181.

During the stop, the trooper recognized signs of possible drug activity. An OSP K-9 team responded and a drug detection K-9 was deployed to search the vehicle’s exterior and alerted to the presence of possible illegal drugs. 

Once the K-9 alerted , the driver fled on foot across all the lanes of I-5 into a wooded area. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two kilograms of powdered fentanyl in the trunk. 

Law enforcement searched for the suspect for several hours without success; it is believed the driver obtained a ride out of the area, OSP said Tuesday.

Before fleeing, the driver presented a fraudulent Mexican consular card bearing the name Luis Angel Garcia Gonzalez, 28, of Oakland, Calif. OSP said it's unknown if that is the suspect’s true name. 

Upon further investigation and with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, it was determined the fentanyl was destined for the Portland metro area. Due to the quantity, the fentanyl was turned over to the DEA, OSP said