Several Arrested on Meth and Heroin Charges in Salem

Salem Drug Investigation leads to arrests & seizure of drugs valued at over $48,000

(SALEM, Ore.) - Detectives from the Salem Police Street Crimes Unit and Drug Activity Response Team were conducting a drug investigation Monday which resulted in a number of arrests and charges.

Lt. Jim Anglemier with Salem Police says it began when detectives observed a drug deal in a North Salem parking lot and contacted two of the subjects involved, who were identified as 25-year old Merideth Warren and 42-year old Barry Johnson of Salem.

Anglemier says Warren was in possession of a scale with methamphetamine residue and Johnson was in possession of 23 grams of methamphetamine, valued at $1200. He says Johnson had been driving on a suspended drivers license.

Further investigation revealed that a 17-year old juvenile was the delivery person of the drugs to Warren and Johnson, in association with two other individuals who were to be arrested a short time later.

The Detectives say they were able to return to the residence of the 17-year old located at 3540 Hawthorne Ave NE, Salem, where contact was made with 23-year old Ivan Baltazar-Bernal and 24-year old Gregoria Rivera and their 22-month old daughter. Anglemier says the 17-year old is a cousin of Baltazar-Bernal and lives with his family.

"At the residence, detectives were able to conduct a search and seized 26 ounces of Methamphetamine valued at $39,000; 4.5 ounces of Cocaine valued at $6,600; 1 ounce of Heroin, valued at $2,000 and $1,039 in cash."

Anglemier says all of the adults were booked into the Marion County Jail. The 17-year old juvenile was released to the Marion County Juvenile Department and the 22-month old child was taken into protective custody and released to staff of the Department of Human Services.

The 17-year old juvenile was charged with Distribution & Possession of Methamphetamine, Distribution & Possession of Cocaine and Distribution & Possession of Heroin. No bail amount was possible due to his juvenile status.

25-year old Merideth Warren is charged with Distribution & Possession of Methamphetamine, with bail set at $510,000.

42-year old Barry Johnson was charged with Distribution & Possession of Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended. His bail is set at $510,000.

23-year old Ivan Baltazar-Bernal faces charges of Distribution & Possession of Methamphetamine, Distribution & Possession of Cocaine, Distribution & Possession of Heroin, Using a Minor in a Drug Offense and first degree Child Neglect. His bail is set at $660,000.

24-year old Gregoria Rivera faces charges of Distribution & Possession of Methamphetamine, Distribution & Possession of Cocaine, Distribution & Possession of Heroin and first degree Child Neglect. Her bail is set at $620,000.