By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
May 30, 2007

A Milton-Freewater man was arrested on Thursday after agreeing to a personal search — with a pant pocket full of drugs.

Hood River County Sheriff’s Deputy Marc Smith reportedly found a half-pound of crystal methamphetamine on Victor Negrete-Campos, 22.

He also discovered digital scales to weigh the illicit substance in the man’s other front pocket. Additional evidence recovered from inside the vehicle led Smith to believe the meth was being sold to other parties.

“Whether he was selling it here or somewhere else; I know this meth isn’t going to be used now to endanger someone’s life,” he said.

Smith’s search of the suspect followed a traffic stop about 1:30 a.m. on May 24 near Exit 63 on Interstate 84. Negrete-Campos had allegedly been driving erratically enough in the eastbound lanes to catch the attention of the patrol deputy.

When the subject calmly agreed to a search of his vehicle and person, Smith checked him for possible weapons. He said the man tried to feign surprise as the pink package was pulled from his pocket.

“He immediately became very nervous and asked me what it was that I had found,” said Smith. “He then grabbed the meth and threw it over the car in an attempt to ditch it.”

Smith restrained the suspect until two city police officers and another deputy arrived to provide backup. Then he retrieved the bundle and transported Negrete-Campos to NORCOR, where he is being held on a $25,000 cash bail.

According to Smith, the meth found in what began as a routine traffic stop has a market value of about $6,000.

“I hope I’ve put a small dent in the supply chain,” he said.