Southern Oregon bust nets meth, pot, guns and 3 arrests
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- Authorities in southern Oregon arrested three people and seized meth, marijuana and guns on Wednesday, after a months-long investigation.
Officials say the investigation was carried out by the interagency Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE), with the help of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS).
OSP Sgt. Jim Johnson says that Wednesday morning, detectives from both agencies set up surveillance on a Grants Pass residence after getting information about a shipment of meth coming in from out of state.
Detectives say they observed Chris Sage, 48, of Grants Pass, leaving an apartment with firearms concealed in a tarp. They contacted stopped the man, and say he resisted arrest before being taken into custody.
Officials say a search of Sage's vehicle led police to seize a stolen AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, over one pound of marijuana, and approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine.
Later in the day, another vehicle was stopped, occupied by three people. Two man, identified as John Gabriel Martinez, 28, and Taro Manuita, 36, both from Sacramento, California, were arrested for unlawful possession, distribution and manufacture of meth. A woman in the vehicle was released at the scene.
Authorities say information they got during the investigation led them to another apartment, where they say they seized over one pound of methamphetamine, a safe containing another pound of methamphetamine, and four firearms. An OSP drug detection canine assisted detectives during this seizure.
The three men were lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
The woman was the narc
More victims of the police state.
Yeah right. Because people selling drugs really need an AR-15 to carry around with them. Like it isn't obvious what they have it for when they live in the urban jungle.
Does anyone bother to ask how this convicted felon and druggies get their guns? Â Could it be because you don't need a background check, ID, or any questions asked to buy a gun in Oregon through a private transaction? Â And was the stolen gun locked up by its owner? Â Doubtful.
@Baldr Odinson I was unaware that criminals would follow background check laws. Seems to me it would be much easier to simply not. Do you even know why there isn't background checks for private sales, Baldr?
@PleaseBeSmart @Baldr Odinson Requiring a background check for sales from dealers has prevented 1.5 million sales in the 14 years it has been enforced.  The same would be true for private sales. It would also require the criminal has to get a knowing accomplice, since the seller would be liable. This isn't easy, and it would also drive up black market prices, making it harder for the criminal to get a gun.
@Baldr Odinson So what you're saying is you don't know why there isn't currently background checks for private sales then?Â
 @Baldr Odinson do you just love the government?do you do what ever they tell you to do?do you follow the blindly. probably
@censoredirawoody @Baldr Odinson Yes. It's called following the law.
@Baldr Odinson Something being lawful or not does not make it right or wrong. Blindly following the law isn't something to be commended.Â
@Baldr Odinson They bought their guns from your buddy Eric
 @Baldr Odinson They are Mexican drug criminals. They steal the guns.
@Mara688 lol how do you know they are "mexican drug criminals".
@Mara688Â LOL. That's hilarious, but it doesn't mean they're with a cartel.
 @sowhat  @Mara688 They have Mexican names and they had a large amount of drugs. Didn't you read the article?