I-40 Traffic Stop Nets $1 Million In Crystal Meth, Muskogee County Officials Say

An Oklahoma traffic stop, initiated by a deputy who also works on the Muskogee City-County Drug Task Force, uncovered 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, which has a street value of $1 million, officials said.

"It's the biggest bust, money-wise, I've ever heard of anywhere around here," Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson said.

Michael Salas, 24, was westbound on Interstate 40 – near the Ross Road exit east of Webbers Falls – when he was pulled over by officials about 3 p.m. Thursday. 

Salas reportedly told investigating deputies he boarded a plane in Mexico and landed in Fort Worth, Texas, where he rented a car to head to Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Gragg said it is unclear at this point whether Salas attempted to make a delivery in Fort Smith and the meeting just didn't go through.

"Usually the money goes South and West. The drugs go North and East." Muskogee County K-9 deputy Jeff Gragg said. "When I opened [the trunk], I really expected to find money, not drugs."

Salas was booked into the Muskogee County Jail on drug trafficking complaints. He is being held without bond.

The seizure, which investigators said would wholesale at $440,000 and resell for $1 million, was a big victory in Oklahoma's war on drugs.

"Getting that much dope off the streets – that's a big deal," Pearson said. "The task force has had big busts before, but this is unheard of."

Jail records show Salas was born in California, and deputies said he was raised in Georgia.

The investigation is ongoing.