Leader of a major drug trafficking network arrested in Oregon, authorities report

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — KATU is on your side after the leader of a major drug trafficking network with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel was arrested in our region.

Federal agents seized tons of fentanyl and meth that may have been destined for the streets of Portland.

“When we’re talking about amounts like this, we’re talking about significant amounts,” Kevin Mokhtari, assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, told KATU.

Prosecutors said Eduardo Mendoza, known by the nickname Casper, was arrested in Salem on Wednesday.

“His home was searched yesterday. It was determined that he was not there. We were then able to use a number of investigative techniques to determine his whereabouts, and federal police in the Salem, Oregon area were able to locate and arrest him,” Mokhtari said.

When asked if authorities knew what Mendoza was doing in Salem, Mokhtari replied: “At this point, we don’t know why he was there. He was arrested along with himself and, I believe, one other person.”

In the Imperial Valley, a border region between the US and Mexico in Southern California, investigators seized over nine pounds of fentanyl, equivalent to about two million potentially lethal doses.

There were also hundreds of pounds of meth, other drugs and dozens of firearms.

The group is part of a fentanyl and methamphetamine ring east of San Diego, where Mendoza lived.

Officials said a coordinated raid by more than 400 federal, state and local agencies in Salem, California and Arizona was necessary.

“With this arrest, the Department of Justice has dealt another blow to the Sinaloa Cartel and its allies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “I am grateful to the more than 400 law enforcement officers whose work in this operation resulted in dozens of arrests, indictments of 47 defendants, and the seizure of firearms, meth, cocaine, heroin, and two million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. We will continue to tirelessly fight to protect American communities from the cartels.”

“The Department of Homeland Security and our federal, state, and local partners are working tirelessly to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets and bring those who traffic it to justice,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The charges announced today are the direct result of our multifaceted and coordinated law enforcement response – one that leverages every resource and capability of our government. Together, we are preventing fentanyl and other deadly drugs from being manufactured, distributed, or consumed, and saving countless lives.”

“This is a long-term wiretapping investigation, so we had to conduct numerous rounds of government wiretapping against this network. And that’s how we were able to identify other cells of the organization that were connected to it,” Mokhtari added.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs, the defendants are charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons offenses, among other offenses. According to court documents, the defendants were active throughout the Imperial Valley – in Brawley, El Centro, Westmoreland, Imperial, Calexico, Niland, Holtville, Calipatria – and in Mexicali, Mexico.

According to court records, on June 30, 2021, agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine and a stash of ghost guns and ammunition, including 15 lower receivers, three upper receivers, several barrels and stocks, 18 magazines, 40 Luger 9mm cartridges, and approximately 400 rounds of .223 Red Army ammunition, which are manufactured in Russia. None of the firearms or firearm parts had identifying serial numbers or markings. They were all ghost guns. Wiretapped phone conversations showed that defendant Cory Gershen supplied other members of the organization with ghost guns in exchange for methamphetamine.

On June 30, 2021, agents seized additional ghost guns, ammunition, and methamphetamine from another member of the same drug trafficking organization. Specifically, agents seized two AR-style ghost guns and a Colt .380 semi-automatic pistol, as well as additional Russian rifle ammunition from defendant Guadalupe Molina-Flores, one of the alleged members of the drug trafficking organization. According to a search warrant, after seizing the firearms, agents searched Molina-Flores’ residence and found 309.4 grams (0.68 pounds) of methamphetamine, the press release states.

Mokhtari said the operation was a big step toward eliminating drugs believed to be being transported along the I-5 corridor, a drug pipeline that eventually ends up on the streets of Portland.

“Drug dealers use the same roads as truck drivers who transport food and vegetables. So they are the same roads that lead to Oregon,” he said.