Police arrest illegal immigrant accused of hiding heroin in baby's car seat
By Rick Bella
March 19, 2010, 11:16AM

WEST LINN -- Police arrested an illegal immigrant Thursday, accusing him of hiding 4 1/2 grams of heroin in his 22-month-old daughter's car seat.


Edgar Antonio Mendoza OrtegaEdgar Antonio Mendoza Ortega, 31, previously deported and recently living in Northeast Portland, is being held without bail in the Clackamas County Jail. He is set to be arraigned today in Clackamas County Circuit Court on drug-possession, drug-dealing and child-neglect charges.

Mendoza Ortega's case also will be reviewed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who will investigate how he re-entered the United States. Depending on their findings, Mendoza Ortega could face additional federal charges.

On Thursday afternoon, West Linn police received an alert from a concerned citizen who reported a suspicious vehicle in a residential area. After launching an investigation, police called the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force for assistance. Officers intercepted the car at the Albertson's parking lot off Blankenship Road, where they conducted a search and found the drugs.

Sgt. Neil Hennelly, West Linn police spokesman, said Mendoza Ortega intended to deliver the heroin he had hidden in his daughter's car seat.

The girl was taken into protective custody and later was released to two responsible family members.

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