The following is being released on behalf of the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team:
A multi-agency investigation resulted in the arrest of a federal fugitive and the execution of a search warrant in rural Josephine County late Thursday. Seized during the investigation were methamphetamine, US currency, marijuana, heroin, firearms, a significant explosive device and other items of evidentiary value. ROYAL KRUESI, age 41, from Murphy, was arrested on a federal warrant for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and state warrants for ID Theft and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon.
On February 4, 2016, KRUESI was arrested on Highway 238 in Josephine County after a short elude on a motorcycle and foot pursuit by the Oregon State Police. KRUESI had a large amount of US currency on his person along with a methamphetamine pipe. A search of his Harley Davidson motorcycle revealed approximately 1 ?1/2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, $30,000 dollars in US currency, three handguns (two which were loaded), scales, packaging material and other evidence.
Law enforcement officers subsequently returned to KRUESI'S residence in the 12000 block of Water Gap Road near Murphy with a search warrant, which Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) SWAT executed. Seized from the search warrant and a consent search of an adjacent residence were two ounces of crystal methamphetamine, one ounce of tar heroin, three firearms (including an semi-auto AK 47 rifle), 10 pounds of marijuana, packaging material, scales, a money counter, approximately ten thousand rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest and other items of evidence.
Various items were discovered on the property stemming from a 2013 Jackson County Burglary report. The items recovered included a Honda Quad, plasma cutter, motorcycle riding gear and sand paddle tires.
Investigators also located a sophisticated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during the search of KRUESI'S residence.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Drug Enforcement Section Sergeant Jim Johnson, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team partnered with many law enforcement agencies to assist with this investigation after receiving repeated information regarding KRUESI illegally distributing narcotics. Participating agencies included members from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety SWAT, Oregon State Police (OSP), United States Marshal Service (USMS) and Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from Boise, Portland and Eugene. "Collaboration between a multitude of state and federal law enforcement agencies, the tireless pursuit of those who assisted in this operation, and excellent investigative work to apprehend this sought after fugitive was paramount in the case's success," said Johnson. RADE initiated the investigation last year after determining KRUESI was rumored to be linked to violent encounters and may have used intimidation to propel his methamphetamine distribution organization in Josephine County.
Additional crimes against KRUESI will be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office and to the United States Attorney's Office for review. The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Special thanks to Josephine County Sheriff Daniels for his support, the Josephine County District Attorney's office and the Assistant United States Assistant Attorney's office in Medford for their assistance in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.
The interagency narcotics RADE team is comprised of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Josephine County Community Corrections.
No photographs for release.
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A multi-agency investigation resulted in the arrest of a federal fugitive and the execution of a search warrant in rural Josephine County late Thursday. Seized during the investigation were methamphetamine, US currency, marijuana, heroin, firearms, a significant explosive device and other items of evidentiary value. ROYAL KRUESI, age 41, from Murphy, was arrested on a federal warrant for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and state warrants for ID Theft and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon.
On February 4, 2016, KRUESI was arrested on Highway 238 in Josephine County after a short elude on a motorcycle and foot pursuit by the Oregon State Police. KRUESI had a large amount of US currency on his person along with a methamphetamine pipe. A search of his Harley Davidson motorcycle revealed approximately 1 ?1/2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, $30,000 dollars in US currency, three handguns (two which were loaded), scales, packaging material and other evidence.
Law enforcement officers subsequently returned to KRUESI'S residence in the 12000 block of Water Gap Road near Murphy with a search warrant, which Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) SWAT executed. Seized from the search warrant and a consent search of an adjacent residence were two ounces of crystal methamphetamine, one ounce of tar heroin, three firearms (including an semi-auto AK 47 rifle), 10 pounds of marijuana, packaging material, scales, a money counter, approximately ten thousand rounds of ammunition, a ballistic vest and other items of evidence.
Various items were discovered on the property stemming from a 2013 Jackson County Burglary report. The items recovered included a Honda Quad, plasma cutter, motorcycle riding gear and sand paddle tires.
Investigators also located a sophisticated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during the search of KRUESI'S residence.
According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Drug Enforcement Section Sergeant Jim Johnson, the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team partnered with many law enforcement agencies to assist with this investigation after receiving repeated information regarding KRUESI illegally distributing narcotics. Participating agencies included members from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety SWAT, Oregon State Police (OSP), United States Marshal Service (USMS) and Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) from Boise, Portland and Eugene. "Collaboration between a multitude of state and federal law enforcement agencies, the tireless pursuit of those who assisted in this operation, and excellent investigative work to apprehend this sought after fugitive was paramount in the case's success," said Johnson. RADE initiated the investigation last year after determining KRUESI was rumored to be linked to violent encounters and may have used intimidation to propel his methamphetamine distribution organization in Josephine County.
Additional crimes against KRUESI will be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office and to the United States Attorney's Office for review. The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated.
Special thanks to Josephine County Sheriff Daniels for his support, the Josephine County District Attorney's office and the Assistant United States Assistant Attorney's office in Medford for their assistance in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.
The interagency narcotics RADE team is comprised of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Josephine County Community Corrections.
No photographs for release.
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