Oregon State Police (OSP) Drug Enforcement Section will continue the investigation related to the arrest of two Bend residents Saturday morning after over 50 pounds of marijuana was found in a vehicle during an OSP traffic stop east of La Grande.

According to OSP Sergeant Larry Graves, on November 7, 2009 at approximately 10:26 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a rented 2009 Nissan Altima displaying California license plates eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 278 after noting the car’s speed at 84 mph in a 65 mph speed zone. Contacted during the stop were driver TISHA MAELOU NILES, age 25, and passenger JEFFREY DAVEY STRATTON, age 28, both from Bend.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of approximately 51 lbs. of marijuana in large bags inside the car’s trunk. Another trooper and OSP drug detection canine assisted during the traffic stop and discovery of the estimated $130,000 worth of marijuana.

STRATTON AND NILES were arrested without incident for Unlawful Possession, Distribution and Manufacture of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana. STRATTON was lodged in the Union County Jail. NILES was cited to appear in Union County Circuit Court.

OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation. No additional information will be released.

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2. Fatal Traffic Crash – Interstate 84 east of Pendleton
3. Four Whitman College Students Injured in Traffic Crash – Highway 730 east of Interstate 84