Police make heroin bust in Sisters

Police made a high-risk stop on a vehicle traveling through Sisters and arrested a man and a woman on charges associated with possession, manufacture and distribution of heroin.

According to police reports, detectives from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team, assisted by Deschutes County sheriff's deputies, stopped Richard Mercer, 35, and Katherine Roberts, 30, both of Portland, at Highway 20 and Pine Street at 11:45 p.m.

According to police, information developed by CODE detectives revealed that Mercer was a significant supplier of heroin to a number of individuals within Deschutes County. While monitoring Mercer's activities it was learned that he was traveling to Deschutes County on this Monday. Surveillance teams located Mercer as he was traveling into the city of Sisters. Police stopped the Nissan Elantra he was operating.

Mercer and Roberts were taken into custody without incident.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, detectives reportedly located approximately 2.5 ounces of heroin, a scale, packaging material, large sum of currency, a stolen firearm concealed under the seat, and other evidence of the sales, distribution, and manufacturing of heroin. It was also determined that the vehicle Mercer was operating was stolen.

Mercer and Roberts were lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on multiple charges.