Tribal police assist in Highway 22 meth bust

By Danielle Frost

Grand Ronde Tribal Police assisted with a traffic stop that yielded a quarter-pound bag of methamphetamine.

On Sunday, Jan. 14, at approximately 12:23 p.m., a concerned citizen called 911 to report a reckless driver on Highway 22 near milepost 15, traveling westbound, who was also smoking what they believed was methamphetamine from a glass pipe, according to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The nearest Polk County deputy was “quite some distance” from the suspect vehicle, so a request was made to Grand Ronde Tribal Police to assist. Oregon State Police also had a trooper from the McMinnville office in the area.

Tribal Police located and stopped the vehicle. Shortly after, a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office and an Oregon State Police trooper arrived.

The driver, David Edie, 38, of Portland, was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Further investigation was conducted and a drug detection dog from the Newberg-Dundee Police Department responded to the scene. The K-9 officer found bags in the vehicle and a subsequent search turned up approximately one-fourth a pound of methamphetamine, worth approximately $2,250 to $4,125. A stolen handgun also was located, along with $500 in cash.

In addition to DUII, Edie also was arrested for possession of methamphetamine (substantial quantity), distribution of methamphetamine (substantial quantity), felon in possession of a firearm and first-degree theft by receiving.

The car’s passenger, Alicia Schier, 28, of Portland, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

Both Edie and Schier were transported to the Polk County Jail in Dallas, with additional charges likely, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Edie’s bail has been set at $500,000 and Schier’s at $15,000.

“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our gratitude to the concerned citizen,” the press release stated. “Without their call, this methamphetamine would have made it into our communities. We would also like to thank (the) Grand Ronde Tribal Police, Oregon State Police and the Newberg–Dundee Police for their assistance.”