Hiding drugs in kids toys. Mex-Oregon drug bust arrests 8

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation,

8 people were arrested as part of their ties to a Mexico-California-Oregon drug ring. Police seized56 pounds of fentanyl, 116 pounds of methamphetamine, $300,000 cash and many 20 firearms. They even stashed drugs in children toys.

Here is the DEA press release:

Eight individuals have been charged for their role in a transnational criminal organization (TCO) transporting narcotics into California from Mexico and distributing it across the United States including Oregon.

The following individuals have been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl:

– Tania Argueta, 47, residing in Las Vegas, Nevada;
– Patsy Escobar, 25, residing in Los Angeles, California;
– Angel Lopez, 25, residing in Los Angeles;
– Rene Cazares, 39, residing in Salem, Oregon;
– Julia Dorfler, 32, residing in Springfield, Oregon;
– Matthew Medieros, 38, residing in Coos Bay, Oregon;
– Patrick Newport, 28, residing in Corvallis, Oregon; and
– Felicia Waite, 40, residing in Eugene, Oregon.

According to court documents, the TCO transported drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl into California from Mexico before distributing it across the United States, including Oregon, through shipping carriers, sometimes hidden in children’s toys or cereal boxes, and vehicles.

Argueta was a drug and money courier for the TCO traveling all over the United States to pick up drug proceeds. Cazares operated a stash house in Salem receiving large amounts of controlled substances from couriers that he distributed at the direction of a co-conspirator to local Oregon customers. Escobar and Lopez operated a stash house in Corona, California, where they distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl across the United States. Dorfler, Newport, Waite, and Medieros were all local distributors for the TCO.

During the course of this investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 56 pounds of fentanyl, 116 pounds of methamphetamine, more than $300,000, and 20 firearms from members of the TCO.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team, Linn Conty Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, Corvallis Police Department, Corona Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case, with assistance from the New York Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Huynh is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty….”