Rep. Yunker: Historic fentanyl bust, how we got here

Rep. Dwayne Yunker: Oregon Democrats Turned State into Haven for Fentanyl Kingpin
By Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker,

Salem, OR — Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) issued a blistering statement after news broke that Alberto Salazar Amaya, the ringleader behind the largest fentanyl seizure in U.S. history, was living in Salem, Oregon.

“The fact that this cartel leader was hiding in our state capital is no accident, it’s the direct result of Oregon Democrats’ sanctuary state policies,” said Representative Yunker. “They’ve turned Oregon into a haven for drug traffickers, foreign terrorist organizations, and organized crime, while everyday Oregonians pay the price.”

Under Governor Tina Kotek and a Democrat-controlled legislature, Oregon has decriminalized hard drugs, embraced sanctuary protections for illegal immigrants, and gutted public safety enforcement. These failed policies have made Oregon ground zero for the fentanyl epidemic, and a magnet for international criminal operations.

“This isn’t just a drug problem. It’s a national security crisis,” Representative Yunker said. “Foreign-backed criminal networks are exploiting Oregon’s weak laws, and our communities are suffering. It’s time to stop pretending this is normal.”

Representative Yunker is calling for:

• A full, bipartisan investigation into how Salazar Amaya operated in Oregon
Immediate repeal of Oregon’s sanctuary state law
• A rollback of soft-on-crime policies that shield traffickers and criminal enterprises
• New legislation to fortify state cooperation with federal immigration and drug enforcement

“Oregonians deserve a state that protects its citizens, not one that shelters the enemies of public safety,” said Representative Yunker. “The time to act is now.”