PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – A Portland man is facing federal charges after he was allegedly found transporting over 200 pounds of meth on Interstate 5 near Tualatin, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Juan Manuel Berrelleza Leyva, 22, was charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to possess and possessing with intent to distribute meth and heroin.
On Jan. 21, authorities learned that a suspected drug trafficker – later identified as Leyva – was transporting drugs on I-5 toward Portland, according to court documents. That night, investigators saw Leyva’s vehicle driving north between Salem and Tualatin, officials said.
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After initially avoiding a traffic stop, Leyva pulled over and a narcotics K-9 alerted authorities to the vehicle, officials said. Investigators found more than 200 pounds of meth in a duffle bag, suitcase, and trash bag along with just over two pounds of heroin in the vehicle, officials said.