I have been wondering about all this over the past year or so.

Now the story is back in the news.

 

May 2011- The Benjamin Roldan Salinas incident-

“…a Forks man who eluded Border Patrol agents after a weekend traffic stop on U.S. Highway 101 east of Sappho.”

“…a Forks man who eluded Border Patrol agents during a Saturday traffic stop on U.S. Highway 101.”

“…a traffic stop on U.S. 101 was initiated by a U.S. Forest Service officer who requested translation assistance from the Border Patrol for two people inside a vehicle.”

“…two individuals that were encountered during a vehicle stop on Highway 101 near milepost 214.”

“…last seen jumping into the Sol Duc River during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 101 near the east bridge at Milepost 213.”

 

Best case scenario- local (Olympic Peninsula) reporters would have investigated the mysterious practice of federal officers conducting “traffic stops” on US Highway 101.

Why was the vehicle stopped on U.S. 101 by a U.S. Forest Service officer?

How did the officer first know about the salal?

Did they have a permit?

How much salal was in the vehicle?

Was it legal?

Anything related to a police report as to why and where the vehicle was stopped?

What became of the salal- if there was any at the scene?

 

Local papers have no problem working with local law enforcement agencies to publish detailed arrest reports– why are federal arrests any different?

Local paper able to coordinate with foreign authorities Re: mishap at sea in Mexican waters– yet details of arrests taking place in Clallam County go unreported.

 

Many locals seem to support federal police state tactics- away from border crossings and ports of entry- if there’s a chance that an illegal alien can be captured.

 

Old news at Oak Bay Starfish:

Nov 2011- “A request for assistance during a traffic stop being conducted by an Olympic National Park ranger in a remote area of U.S. Highway 101 southwest of Forks resulted in the arrest of a Mexican national illegally in the U.S.”

Looks like federal agents are now doing traffic stops on U.S. Highway 101?

When folks head out to cut their Christmas tree in the National Forest- do they get stopped by federal officers on U.S. Highway 101 for a quick check & inspection to validate permits, vehicle contents & cargo?

 

More about mysterious federal traffic stops on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula here.

Local reporters never ask why the vehicle was stopped.

 

Discuss on facebook

Olympic Peninsula Border Patrol timeline here.

 

 

Photo- Port Hadlock Transit Center