Salem police officers seized nearly 80 grams of fentanyl and 24 grams of methamphetamine from a vehicle during a traffic stop in northeast Salem early July 25, arresting two people who both had outstanding felony warrants.

The stop happened a little past midnight near the intersection of Market Street and Hawthorne Avenue NE, according to a Salem Police Department press release issued on July 27.

Officers pulled over a vehicle and discovered the driver, a 44-year-old Salem woman, was operating with a felony-level suspended license. Both she and her passenger, a 29-year-old Salem woman, had active felony warrants.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up the drugs.

The department initially reported 64.1 grams of methamphetamine and 14.6 grams of fentanyl, but issued a correction attributing updated figures to the arresting officer: 78.7 grams (2.77 ounces) of fentanyl and 24 grams of methamphetamine.

Combined, officers seized more than 100 grams of controlled substances from the vehicle.

Charges and jail booking

The driver was booked into Marion County Jail on charges of felony driving while suspended and a criminal arrest warrant. The passenger faces multiple charges, including a criminal arrest warrant, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of fentanyl.

The Salem Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and directed further inquiries to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. No court dates have been announced.

Second fentanyl seizure in two weeks

The July 25 bust marks the second significant fentanyl seizure by Salem police in less than two weeks. On Thursday, July 16, detectives from the department's Special Investigations Unit arrested a 54-year-old Salem man near Lancaster Drive NE and Sunnyview Drive NE after observing a drug sale.

Officers seized approximately one ounce of fentanyl in that case, which was part of the department's Intelligence, Communication, and Planning (ICAP) initiative.

Oregon's fentanyl crisis remains a statewide concern, though overdose deaths declined for the second consecutive year in 2025, with approximately 1,100 fatalities statewide compared to a peak of 1,833 in 2023, according to preliminary Oregon Health Authority data.

How to report tips

Anyone with information about drug activity in Salem can contact the Salem Police Department's non-emergency line at 503-588-6123.