Washington State Patrol troopers patrolling Highway 97 south of Toppenish stopped the driver of a 2000 Toyota Camry for speeding and confiscated nearly 15 pounds of pot and $7,000 in cash.
The two troopers were working together as part of the Washington State Patrol's Serious Highway Criminal Apprehension Team, or SHCAT.
When a trooper ap-proached the driver, the trained narcotics canine handler and criminal interdiction trooper reportedly smelled an overwhelming odor of marijuana.
Fernando Mendoza, 21 of Santa Maria, Calif., along with his passenger Jose Rosales-Rodriguez, 24, of Visalia, Calif., were booked into the Yakima County jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to deliver. The cash and car also were seized.
The Washington State Patrol has 10 specially trained troopers in criminal interdiction, including one drug-detecting dog, in the Yakima/Sunnyside area.
Two troopers along with the drug dog are specifically assigned to work as a team when not responding to calls for service or other assigned duties.
Since the beginning of 2009, Yakima/Sunnyside area troopers have made 459 drug arrests, 74 of which were felonies, and seized nearly $20,000, along with six vehicles. Troopers worked closely with local drug task forces, referring eight for follow-up investigations.
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Kennewick search leads to 4 arrests
Kennewick search leads to 4 arrests
A search of a home east of Kennewick for two men wanted on warrants ended in the arrest of three suspects on drug charges and a fourth on a warrant, authorities said.
The two men initially sought by Benton County sheriff's deputies were not found at the home at 210605 E. Perkins Road, said Deputy Joe Lusignan.
Deputies, however, did arrest the property owner, Daniel R. Hansford, 50, for possessing stolen property, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possessing meth.
Man accused of DUI after driving through fence
Man accused of DUI after driving through fence
A 23-year-old Pasco man is accused of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he drove through a fence and ended up down an embankment on Interstate 82.
The 11:50 p.m. Thursday crash happened in Grandview and sent a 21-year-old Grandview woman to the hospital, the Washington State Patrol said.
Jose A. Gomez was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette north on Puterbaugh Road when he missed a left curve and went through a Department of Transportation fence, troopers said.
Sunnyside man killed, 5 hurt after car crash
Sunnyside man killed, 5 hurt after car crash
A Sunnyside man was killed and five others were hurt when the car they were in spun off a road in Sunnyside early Sunday and rolled over, the Washington State Patrol said.
The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is being sought after he left the crash scene before authorities arrived, troopers said.
The 3:30 a.m. wreck in the 3600 block of East Factory Road killed 20-year-old Nicholas Alfredo Marez after he was thrown from the car, troopers said.
Couple in Benton County jail for allegedly stealing holiday packages
Couple in Benton County jail for allegedly stealing holiday packages
RICHLAND — Two suspected Grinches were sitting in the Benton County jail Monday after allegedly stealing holiday packages from several Richland homes.
Richland police in recent days received reports of Federal Express and UPS packages believed to have been stolen from the recipients who said they had expected packages that never arrived.
One resident reportedly found an empty box from another mail theft victim along with a receipt inside that police said led them to Dustin A. Stacks, 21, of Richland.
No fatal crashes reported over New Year's weekend
No fatal crashes reported over New Year's weekend
Most drivers in the Tri-Cities appeared to make the right choices while celebrating the new year by not drinking and driving.
No fatal or serious-injury crashes were reported over the holiday weekend in Benton and Franklin counties.
Officers in the Tri-Cities also participated in extra DUI patrols as part of the state's holiday DUI enforcement campaign that began on Thanksgiving and ran through Jan. 2.
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