Police Say Major Oregon-Based Narcotics Trafficking Organization Dismantled

The investigation spanned numerous states and Mexico, involving dozens of law enforcement agencies.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - State, Local and Federal law enforcement agencies served several search warrants and made multiple arrests, culminating an extensive and lengthy investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine and Cocaine and the "manufacture" and distribution of Marijuana throughout the United States and Mexico.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada Department says operations conducted on June 6th and June 7th in Oregon as well as several other states resulted in 12 arrests, the seizure of the remnants of a large methamphetamine laboratory capable of producing up to 14 pounds of methamphetamine every three days, at least six assault rifles, numerous other firearms, two 40mm rifle grenades, one other explosive device, body armor, 100 Ecstasy Pills, 120 lbs of Marijuana, nearly 8,000 Marijuana plants, nine Kilograms of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, thousands of marijuana seeds, nearly $100,000 in cash and over $100,000 in vehicles.

This lengthy investigation, which began as an investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine as well as the manufacture and distribution of Marijuana by a major drug trafficking organization, spanned numerous states throughout the United States as well as Mexico and involved dozens of law enforcement agencies.

This Oregon-based organization was responsible for moving massive amounts of illegal narcotics across thousands of miles and two countries and laundering millions of dollars of currency. Over the entire course of the investigation, officers and agents seized over $936,000 in cash, over two pounds of Methamphetamine, over 31 pounds of Cocaine, over 235 pounds of Marijuana and over 38,000 marijuana plants.

The investigation is on-going and more arrests and seizures are anticipated. Total narcotics seizures thus far in this investigation are estimated to have a street value of over $246 million.

Search warrants were served at the following Salem/Keizer locations on June 6th:

• 1934 Future Dr NE, Salem
• 664 Pinehurst St NE, Keizer
• 1548 Clay St NE, Salem
• 4540 Sparrow Ct NE, Salem
• 4605 Campbell Dr SE #104, Salem
• 4270 Cordon Rd NE, Salem
• 4952 Sunnyview Rd NE, Salem
• 4625 Silverton Rd NE, Salem-Storage Locker
• El Campeseno Restaurant, 2360 Fairgrounds Rd NE, Salem
• 4967 Manning Dr NE, Salem

This investigation was an excellent example of intense cooperation, coordination and teamwork between State, Local and Federal law enforcement.

Among the agencies involved in the investigation and service of arrest and search warrants were: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Salem PD, Keizer PD, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Marion County Meth Task Force, Portland PB, US Marshal's Office, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Clark-Skamania Drug Task Force, Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon HIDTA, Blue Mountain Narcotics Task Force (BENT), Washington County Narcotics Task Force (WIN), Regional Organized Crime Narcotics Agency (ROCN), Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force and the Clackamas County Special Investigations Unit.

Specialized assistance was also received from the San Bernardino County California Sheriffs Office. Several other state and local law enforcement agencies from numerous other states were also involved in the investigation and service of search warrants in the case.