Redmond couple arrested on fentanyl trafficking charges in Highway 20 traffic stop, remain jailed

BLACK BUTTE RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Friday night traffic stop on Highway 20 near Black Butte Ranch led to the arrest of a Redmond couple charged with trafficking fentanyl and, with the help of a drug-sniffing K-9, the seizure of fentanyl pills, powder and other drugs, officials said Tuesday.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Redmond Police Department wrapped up a short-term investigation with the arrests of Tamar Dibben and Abigail Bates, both 24, CODE Team Lt. Mike Landolt said.

Drug agents conducted a surveillance operation on Friday that led to the traffic stop by deputies around 8:20 p.m., Landolt said.

Redmond Polie and K-9 Sadie were present for the stop, where Sadie was deployed and alerted to an order indicating the presence of drugs in the pair’s vehicle.

CODE Team detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the vehicle and its two occupants, which turned up a large quantity of suspected fentanyl in powder and pill form, along with cash and smaller amounts of methamphetamine and alprazolam, a sedative known by its trade name of Xanax.

Dibben and Bates were transported and booked into the county jail in Bend on drug possession and delivery charges. Landolt said more charges could be filed in the case, as the investigation is ongoing.

Court records show Dibeen was arraigned Tuesday on two initial felony charges of drug manufacturing/delivery and possession. He’s due for arraignment next week on an expected grand jury indictment. Bates was in court facing the same charges, but a public defender was not available, so she is due back in court in a week to check the status of counsel.

Dibben remains jailed on $500,000 bail, while Bates is held on $100,000 bail, jail records show.