A citizen calls in a report of a person sleeping in their car on the side of the road which leads to the discovery and seizure of over 45 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of the driver.

At 8:14 a.m. on Friday morning, June 6, 2025, a concerned citizen called 911 to report a driver stopped on the side of US-441 near SE Happy Valley Glen who was very close to the lane of travel.

Deputy A. Swears (Patrol Division) and Deputy W. Brown (School Resource Unit), of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, responded to check on the well-being of the driver. When they walked up to the vehicle there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from it along with vomit on the door and on the driver. The driver was identified by a California driver’s license as Mr. Andres Murillomota.
While interacting with Mr. Murillomota, verbal consent to search the vehicle was given where deputies located two suitcases inside. The combined content of these suitcases when opened revealed over 45 pounds of vacuum packed marijuana.

As a result, Mr Murillomota was arrested and booked into the Columbia County Jail.
Due to the engagement of the citizens of our community today, a potential dangerous driver was taken off the roadway and the seizure of illegal narcotics while in transport was made.

Murillomota