Portland Police Arrest Two in Stolen Vehicle with Drugs in Bag Labeled "Definitely Not a Bag Full of Drugs"

 

Police officers in Portland, Oregon, made an unusual drug bust Tuesday night after stopping a car and discovering a bag humorously labeled “Definitely not a bag full of drugs”—which turned out to be exactly that. Inside the bag, officers found 79 blue fentanyl pills, three counterfeit oxycodone tablets, and 230 grams of methamphetamine.

The arrest took place near the intersection of SE 162nd Avenue and Division, when officers stopped a man and a woman driving a stolen Ford Taurus. Portland police noted the car’s ignition had been tampered with, and upon further inspection, officers found a significant quantity of drugs inside.

Sergeant Kevin Allen, a public information officer for the Portland Police Bureau, said, “The driver and passenger were both arrested. Inside the vehicle was a substantial number of packaged drugs including methamphetamine, blue fentanyl pills, multiple scales, money, and a loaded firearm.”

The bag that drew media attention due to its humorous label contained many of the drugs seized in the bust. Both suspects, identified as Reginald Reynolds, 35, and Mia Baggenstos, 37, now face multiple charges related to drug possession and stolen property.

Reynolds is facing charges for delivery and possession of methamphetamine, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and first-degree possession of a controlled substance. Baggenstos faces similar charges, though her controlled substance charge is in the second degree.

In 2020, Oregon decriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs as part of a movement to focus on treatment over criminalization. However, as overdose and homelessness rates surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, public support for this policy diminished. In September, under a Democratic-led legislature, Oregon reinstated penalties for drug possession.