The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced a nine-count indictment against 22 members of an alleged criminal organization responsible for trafficking and distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in the Pacific Northwest.
During the early morning hours of October 24, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) Task Force, and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) conducted an operation leading to the arrest of 17 defendants.
According to an unsealed indictment, a drug cartel based in Michoacán, Mexico, distributed methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine to Víctor Álvarez Farfán, 43, of Oregon City. Farfán and his associates reportedly manufactured crystal methamphetamine from a liquid form and distributed it to other members of the conspiracy for sale in Hillsboro, Gresham, Portland, and Hood River, Oregon, and Tacoma, Washington. Farfán and his associates also allegedly distributed heroin and cocaine in the Portland-metro area. John Armas, 41, of Hillsboro, distributed methamphetamine he received from Farfán via local distribution cell in Hillsboro, according to authorities.
“While our country suffers from the effects of pervasive substance abuse, Mexican drug trafficking cartels continue bringing deadly narcotics into our communities. Stopping these transnational organizations requires steadfast and responsive law enforcement partnerships at all levels of government,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Today, thanks to the vigilance and sustained cooperation of law enforcement agencies across Oregon, this cartel’s efforts to maintain their foothold in our communities has been dealt a lasting blow. We will continue pursuing criminal drug traffickers and ensure their actions are met with severe consequences.”
The nine-count indictment unsealed today alleges members of the organization conspired to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine; use a communication facility, including cellular telephones, in the commission of a controlled substances felony; and maintain drug-involved premises to manufacture and distribute controlled substances. Other charges include the interstate distribution of drug proceeds and money laundering.
Fifteen of the 22 defendants were arraigned in federal court on Friday. The identities of the five remaining defendants remain under seal. All defendants are expected to make their first appearances within one week.
This case is the result of a joint investigation by FBI, HSI, WIN, and CCITF. WIN includes representatives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Tigard Police Department, Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Program, and the FBI. The CCITF includes representatives from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Clackamas County Community Corrections, Oregon City Police Department, Canby Police Department, the FBI and DHS/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Robert Arce is a retired Phoenix Police detective with extensive experience working Mexican organized crime and street gangs. Arce has worked in the Balkans, Iraq, Haiti, and recently completed a three-year assignment in Monterrey, Mexico, working out of the Consulate for the United States Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Program, where he was the Regional Program Manager for Northeast Mexico (Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas.) You can follow him on Twitter. He can be reached at robertrarce@gmail.com