Heroin reportedly found in traffic stop

Driver of SUV in Southern Oregon is Vancouver woman

A Vancouver woman was one of three people arrested Saturday near Ashland, Ore., after an Oregon State Police traffic stop led to the seizure of approximately 5 pounds of heroin.

Jolie R. Whatley, 38, was taken into custody with two men from Portland after a trooper stopped the 2002 Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle she was driving for a traffic violation on Interstate 5, according to an OSP bulletin.

The bulletin said that an investigation related to the traffic stop — which included the use of a drug-detective canine officer — led to the discovery of about 5 pounds of heroin concealed in the rear of the vehicle. The heroin has an estimated value of $150,000.

Arrested with Whatley were Sergio Reyes-Avizo, 33, and Luis Contreras-Meza, 24, both of Portland. An interagency investigation is continuing, the OSP bulletin said, but no additional arrests have been made.

All three people were taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on suspicion of unlawful possession, distribution and manufacture of a controlled substance.

Jail records showed that Reyes-Avizo and Contreras-Meza also had immigration holds placed on them, according to the Oregon State Police.