OSP Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of 4 lbs of Marijuana, Arrest of 2 Men Including Texas Fugitive
(EUGENE, Ore) — An Oregon State Police traffic stop Wednesday in the Eugene Springfield area led to the arrest of two people following the discovery of approximately 4 pounds of marijuana.
One of the men was wanted out of Texas for felony marijuana related charges.
The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.
On October 15, 2014 at approximately 1:07 p.m., an OSP senior trooper stopped a Nissan sport utility vehicle displaying California license plates for multiple traffic violations off Interstate 5 at the Glenwood Boulevard exit near milepost 192.
During the contact the trooper identified the two occupants as driver Thomas M Garza, age 48, from Talent, and passenger Anthony J Balascio, age 43, from Allen, Texas.
During the traffic stop the trooper learned Balascio was wanted on a felony warrant out of Texas for Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of Marijuana.
Balascio was arrested without incident as a Fugitive from Justice.
Subsequent investigation also led the trooper to discover approximately 4 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the vehicle.
Estimated value of the seized marijuana was $10,000.
Garza was arrested without incident for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana.
Garza and Balacio were lodged in the Lane County Jail.
Souce: Orego State Police
