This is a press release courtesy of the Portland Police Bureau

On December 7, 2006, at about 10:15 p.m., in the 9700 block of Southeast Stark Street, officers from the East Precinct Crime Reduction Unit arrested 25-year-old Cristobal Valencia-Santoyo and 24-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez-Valencia on one count each of Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance after seizing more than $50,000 in cash and two pounds of methamphetamine from their vehicle.  

Officers contacted the suspects after receiving information of suspicious activity from the night manager at a motel.
 
Based on the information from the manager, the officers contacted the suspects in a motel room.  During the contact, officers discovered $6,480 in the motel room. 

The suspects then gave officers consent to look in their vehicle.  During the search officers discovered that the car's battery had been rigged with a hidden compartment. 

Inside the battery compartment, officers found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine and $44,260 in cash. 
 
Both suspects were arrested and booked in the Multnomah County Jail. 

Both claimed to be Mexican National residents.  An immigration control agency has placed a hold on both suspects.