Multi County Drug Raids Leads to Several Arrests

Police say they seized meth, guns, cash, and even cockfighting equipment.

Evidence seized in Oregon multi-county drug raid and series of arrests. Photos courtesy: Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team and Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - Lincoln County's narcotics team say a drug-related investigation originating with a traffic stop last week on the coast, led officers to Marion County and has resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, cash, firearms and other evidence.

Detective John Meister is with the Oregon State Police Criminal Division, he is also a member of the Lincoln Agency Narcotics Team. He says that to this date, five people have been arrested and the public is being asked to help provide information regarding a person wanted in connection with the investigation by members of the narcotics team that is known as LINT.

The investigation originated in Lincoln County and led investigators to two Woodburn area residences. Meister says that following a May 14th 2008 traffic stop in the Toledo area and the arrest of two people, LINT members, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police arrested three other suspects the next day at Ellmaker State Park on Highway 20 east of Eddyville.

"Approximately 5 ounces of methamphetamine and suspected forged identification were seized and three suspects from the Gervais-area were taken into custody," Meister said.

Lodged in Lincoln County Jail on drug-related charges were 33-year old Omar Diaz Espino, 43-year old Yolanda Ymarra Perez, and 25-year old Anai Diaz-Lozano.

The ongoing investigation led LINT members and officers from Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Woodburn Police Department, and Marion County Sheriffs Office to serve a search warrant on May 15th at a 1500 George Street in Woodburn residence. Officers say they contacted an adult female and a 12-year old boy at that location. The search of the residence led to the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine, approximately $10,000 cash, and other evidence.

They say a suspect identified as 37-year old Ruben Aluilera-Gutierrez, is known to be connected to the George Street address and has not been located. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Oregon State Police Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888.

Police say two additional search warrants were obtained and on May 16th LINT and officers from Woodburn Police Department and Marion County Sheriffs Office deputies went to the residence of Espino and Perez on 5th Street in Gervais. Officers there say they seized approximately $5,000 cash, numerous firearms including rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, and suspected forged identification.

A second search warrant was served the same day by LINT and Marion County Sheriffs Office at a Woodburn area storage facility where officers seized firearms, ammunition, cockfighting equipment and other evidence.

LINT says they are continuing the investigation and more arrests are anticipated.