The Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Task Force
arrested seven individuals suspected of drug trafficking in Hood River
County during the month of February.
Methamphetamine and marijuana were seized from
residences in Cascade Locks, Odell and Hood River.
“There may have been some cross-over on these cases but
they were not tied together,” said the MINT team leader.
“We kept hearing about these people while working other
cases and had some time available to deal with them, so that’s what we
did.”
MINT detectives from Hood River and Wasco counties
executed a search warrant on Feb. 4 at two apartments in the same Odell
complex. Undercover officers found 14.1 grams of meth in these dwellings
for a total estimated street value of $1,400. In addition, equipment used
to prepare the illicit substances for marketing was also recovered.
Miranda Kubitscheck, 25, and Jillian Rivera, 23, were
both arrested and lodged in the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional
Facilities.
Both Kubitscheck and Rivera were charged with unlawful
delivery of meth. In addition, Kubitscheck faces penalties for possession
of the drug and selling it within 1,000 feet of a school.
The MINT team spent Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, searching
the 15th Street apartment of Tomas Rodriguez, 19, in Hood River. He was
sent to jail after they recovered 20 grams of marijuana and equipment used
to package the drug for trade.
The next day, Feb. 15, MINT converged on an Avalon
Drive residence in Hood River. After executing a search warrant, they
found four ounces of marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia.
Marcus Ybarra, 24, was subsequently arrested and
charged with several drug-related crimes and probation violations.
Cascade Locks was one of two Feb. 21 stops for MINT
officers. They showed up at a Forest Lane home to execute a search warrant
and found about 48 grams of marijuana in addition to drug paraphernalia.
Zachery Dale Fine, 34, was arrested in connection with
that case. He was charged with drug-related offenses and probation
violations.
Also on Feb. 21, MINT members seized 21 grams of
marijuana and equipment used for drug trafficking at a Chevron Drive
residence in Odell.
Michael Vanalstyne, 19, and Rose Saunders, 18, were
arrested; he for possessing and delivery of the drug and she for
frequenting a place where illegal substances are used and/or sold.
“We’ve been really busy. There is a lot going on right
now,” said the MINT leader.
MINT is funded by the Hood River City Police
Department, Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, The Dalles City Police
Department and the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office.
The undercover team also works with other law enforcement agencies in
the Gorge to develop cases.Anyone with information regarding the February
arrests, or any other illicit drug activity in the area, is asked to call
MINT at 386-7034 in Hood River or (541) 96-1885 in The Dalles.
