15 arrested in takedown of suspected drug ring

SALEM, Ore. - Police arrested 15 people Tuesday accused of running a drug ring capable of selling 4 pounds of methamphetamine and 2 pounds of heroin per week in the Willamette Valley, the attorney general's office said.

More than 150 law enforcement officers took part Tuesday in the sweep, rounding up suspects and evidence in a raid dubbed "Operation Icebreaker 2," after a 2007 raid dubbed Operation Icebreaker.

“In 2007, a very similar drug trafficking organization was dismantled in the Willamette Valley," said Captain Jon Sassaman of the Corvallis Police Department. "This investigation has revealed once again there are individuals who are willing to make personal decisions to engage in the illegal trafficking of dangerous narcotics." 

“Supply and demand drives drug trafficking organizations to profit from a wide range of communities," said Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson. "Individuals who choose to profit from drug trafficking will be held accountable."

Search warrants were served at 15 locations in Marion, Linn and Benton counties. The total amount of seized drugs from the search warrants is yet to be determined as the investigation continues, the attorney general's office said. As of mid-day Tuesday, however, law enforcement officials had seized 3.7 lbs of methamphetamine, 7 lbs of heroin, 2.5 lbs of cocaine, firearms and approximately $95,000 in cash.

The search warrants are the culmination of a 9 month investigation into what the attorney general's office described as a "highly organized, sophisticated and structured illegal drug trafficking and racketeering distribution enterprise."

The investigation showed the organization distributed as much as 4 pounds of methamphetamine and 2 pounds of heroin per week on a consistent basis throughout the mid-Willamette Valley.

“This investigation and others like it should be a message to those who engage in the sale of dangerous drugs - that they will be investigated, arrested and held responsible,” Capt. Sassaman said.

The operation arose from a multi-agency investigation involving the Oregon Department of Justice, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County District Attorney’s Office, Albany Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office. 

In addition, the following agencies assisted in the service of search warrants:  the Oregon State Police, Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon Department of Corrections, Beaverton Police Department, Newport Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Philomath Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Polk Interagency Narcotics Team, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Justice.

The following individuals have been taken into custody on a variety of charges:

1. Rogelio Gonzalez-Martinez, DOB: 5/14/75
Lodged:         Josephine County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $10 million

2. Abel Gonzalez-Martinez, DOB: 11/15/80
Lodged:         Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of Methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of heroin (ORS 161.450/475.850)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of methamphetamine
Unlawful delivery of Methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Unlawful delivery of heroin (ORS 475.850)
Bail: $10 million

3. Juventino Santibanez-Castro, DOB: 03/14/87
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Unlawful delivery of Methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful deliver of methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of methamphetamine (475.850)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of cocaine (ORS 161.450/475.880)
Conspiracy to commit unlawful delivery of heroin (ORS 475.850)
Bail: $10 million

4. Juana Bautista-Zuniga, DOB: 03/18/77
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Unlawful delivery of Methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Bail: $100,000

5. Joachim Felgentraeger, DOB: 08/16/48
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Unlawful delivery of methamphetamine (ORS 475.890)
Bail: $1 million

6. Jessica Marie Mendez, DOB: 12/27/79
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

7. Adrian Cornejo-Corona, DOB: 09/16/86
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

8. James Kenji Knox, DOB: 08/05/59
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

9. Richardo Viramontes, DOB: 05/26/75
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

10. Jose Diego Florez-Juarez, 09/21/91
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

11. Jaime Rincon-Herrera, DOB 07/17/84
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $1 million

12. Lorena Gonzalas Pulido, DOB: 4/27/78
Lodged: Linn County Jail
Charges:
Unlawful Delivery of a controlled substance Cocaine (B-Felony)
Unlawful Delivery of a controlled substance Heroin (A-Felony)           

13. Rafael Ayala Lucio, DOB 12/09/76
Lodged: Benton County Jail
Charges:
Money Laundering (ORS 161.170)
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)
Bail: $70,000

14. Gilberto Garcia Camacho, DOB: 08/17/86
Lodged: Linn County Jail
Charges:
Racketeering (ORS 166.720)

15. Camilo Garcia Sanchez, DOB: 07/14/86
Lodged: Linn County Jail
Charges:
Unlawful delivery of Heroin
Unlawful delivery of Cocaine