Police rely on a variety of sources in order to find people who are breaking the law including tips from citizens. According to police, a tip led them to investigate reports of drug deals at a local neighborhood in Northeast Portland. Following this investigation, three individuals were arrested on drug charges.
Police say that they were called about drug deals happening at a mobile home park on Killingsworth Street. When they went to investigate, they stopped and searched a vehicle belonging to a 44-year-old man. During the search, police claim that they found more than $1,000 in cash and 10 ounces of heroin. The driver was arrested.
In addition to searching the car, the police also searched a trailer home located within the park. In that home, the police allege that they found an additional ounce of heroin. They subsequently arrested the 32-year-old woman and 30-year-old man that lived in the home.
Following his arrest, the 44-year-old driver was charged with possession of heroin and suspicion of delivery. The other two individuals were charged with possession of heroin, delivery and manufacturing of heroin.
Each of these charges are very serious, especially the drug manufacturing and delivery charges. These charges could have serious consequences including very long prison sentences.
Despite the fact that the police had a tip that drug deals may have been occurring, they still needed to have either a search warrant or probable cause to search both the car and the mobile home. Police do not have the authority to search anywhere they want, but instead have strict rules that must be followed. If, during these searches, the police broke some of these search and seizure rules, then evidence obtained during these searches cannot be used in court.
Source: The Oregonian, "Three arrested on heroin-related charges at Northeast Portland mobile home park," Simina Mistreanu, June 21, 2013
