drugs

Heroin trafficker who prosecutors say supplied heroin that killed Portland woman gets 20-year sentence

A federal jury in June was unable to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Samuel Navarrette-Aguilar supplied the heroin that killed a 22-year-old Portland mother who overdosed in 2012.

But the federal judge who presided over the so-called “Len Bias” case said Tuesday that the evidence was strong enough to factor into the sentence for the 41-year-old, who was still found guilty of a lesser offense as well as two other drug crimes. U.S. District Judge Marco Hernandez sentenced Navarrette-Aguilar, a Mexican citizen living in Hubbard, to 20 years in prison on each charge. The terms are to run concurrently, he said....

But the judge’s finding sends a clear message to drug suppliers about being held responsible for overdose deaths...
.
A co-defendant convicted in the case, Saul Guzman-Arias, died in November before sentencing.

  Read more about Heroin trafficker who prosecutors say supplied heroin that killed Portland woman gets 20-year sentence

Police find $300,000 worth of drugs in bus luggage

Medford police recently intercepted two travel bags packed with nearly $300,000 worth of heroin and methamphetamine on a commercial bus traveling through Central Point, authorities said.

Ivan Rojas-Hernandez, 29, of Salem, was arrested Friday on charges he was carrying one of the bags, but police are not certain to whom the other bag belongs, said Lt. Kevin Walruff of Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement.

Rojas-Hernandez was contacted by police while the bus was stopped at the Pilot Travel Center in Central Point at about 10:30 a.m. Friday. He voluntarily allowed police to search his travel bag, which contained about nine pounds of methamphetamine, Walruff said.

Walruff said Medford police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were acting off a tip, which led them to Rojas-Hernandez.

Walruff declined to reveal the name of the commercial bus line on which Rojas-Hernandez was traveling, fearing news of the drug bust may negatively affect its business.

He said the bus was traveling north on Interstate 5 from Southern California to a metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest.

"We do not believe that any of these drugs were destined for the Rogue Valley area," Walruff said.

Police estimate the value of the methamphetamine they found in Rojas-Hernandez's bag is worth about $180,000, Walruff said.

Police seized a second bag from the bus containing about a pound and a half of heroin, worth about $50,000, and about two pounds of methamphetamine, worth about $40,000, Walruff said.

Walruff said police asked the passengers on the bus to claim their luggage, and one piece was left unclaimed. A police dog detected drugs inside the bag, so police obtained a warrant and searched it, he said.

"We don't believe (Rojas-Hernandez) to be tied to the unclaimed bag," Walruff said.

Police are continuing to investigate how the second bag of drugs found its way onto the bus, Walruff said.

Rojas-Hernandez is lodged in the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession and delivery of methamphetamine and he cannot be bailed out, because he is suspected of being in the country illegally, jail records show.

  Read more about Police find $300,000 worth of drugs in bus luggage

Milwaukie man's heroin death leads police up supply chain to nab distributor

Charly Michael Aguayo-Caro was once a mid-level manager at a thriving business...

One of Aguayo-Caro's customers sold Rael the dose that killed him...

Aguayo-Caro's also was charged with "distributing heroin resulting in death," commonly known as the "Len Bias law," named for a University of Maryland basketball player who died of a cocaine overdose in 1986....

Aguayo-Caro and other Mexican immigrants from Xalisco in the Pacific Coast state of Nayarit, perfected the system that operated in Oregon and several other states. The heroin business was detailed in a 2010 Los Angeles Times series....

Three prior investigations –by police in Beaverton, Woodburn and Portland -- resulted in arrests of underlings, but not Aguayo-Caro...

Aguayo-Caro's unit grossed about $1 million a year, Mygrant estimated.

"It's nice to convict one of the managers," Mygrant said....

Aguayo-Caro will be deported when he's released from prison.

  Read more about Milwaukie man's heroin death leads police up supply chain to nab distributor

Driver stopped for speeding near Medford arrested after $55,000 of meth found

The driver of a car stopped Sunday for speeding on Interstate 5 north of Medford was arrested when nearly 4 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered in the car, Oregon State Police reported...

Erick Salvador Hernandez-Ruiz, 36, of Modesto...

... U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also place a hold on him, troopers said.

  Read more about Driver stopped for speeding near Medford arrested after $55,000 of meth found

World's most powerful drug lord, 'El Chapo' Guzman, captured in Mexico

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican authorities captured the world's most powerful drug lord in a resort city Saturday after a massive search through the home state of the legendary capo whose global organization is the leading supplier of cocaine to the United States.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, 56, looked pudgy, bowed and much like his wanted photos...

Guzman was arrested by the Mexican marines at 6:40 a.m. in a high-rise condominium fronting the Pacific in Mazatlan....

Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam described an operation that took place between Feb. 13 and 17 focused on seven homes connected by tunnels and to the city's sewer system....

Guzman faces multiple federal drug trafficking indictments in the U.S. and is on the DEA's most-wanted list. His drug empire stretches throughout North America and reaches as far away as Europe and Australia. His cartel has been heavily involved in the bloody drug war that has torn through parts of Mexico for the last several years....

Vigil said Mexico may decide to extradite Guzman to the U.S. to avoid any possibility that he escapes from prison again, as he did in 2001 in a laundry truck — a feat that fed his larger-than-life persona...

Guzman's play for power against local cartels caused a bloodbath in Tijuana and made Juarez one of the deadliest cities in the world...

In 2013, he was named "Public Enemy No. 1" by the Chicago Crime Commission...

An estimated 70,000 people have been killed in drug violence since former President Calderon deployed thousands of soldiers to drug hotspots upon taking office on Dec. 1, 2006. The current government of Pena Nieto has stopped tallying drug-related killings separately.

  Read more about World's most powerful drug lord, 'El Chapo' Guzman, captured in Mexico

Drugs stashed among bell peppers lead to charges against driver after Sherman County crash

...Sheriff’s deputies went out to assist a trucker whose semi-tractor trailer had rolled into a ditch along U.S. 97...

But tow-truck company employees soon alerted police. Hidden among the pallets of bell peppers were bundles of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, authorities allege, collectively worth well over $1 million. It's believed to be the largest drug seizure in Oregon history, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The driver, Salvador Martinez-Perez, 53, of Wenatchee, Wash., now faces three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. He also faces a count of conspiracy to distribute meth, heroin and cocaine....

He pleaded not guilty...

Martinez-Perez’s trial is scheduled to begin April 22. He is being held in custody pending the trial.

  Read more about Drugs stashed among bell peppers lead to charges against driver after Sherman County crash

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By the numbers - crime statistics

David Olen Cross tracks and reports on illegal alien crimes in Oregon.  He is on the Lars Larson show weekly - usually on Thursday afternoons about 2:45pm with the criminal alien of the week report.

David also tracks the prison and jail populations and prepares detailed reports for those interested in such statistics.  Legislators, law enforcement officers and many others have thanked David for his continued efforts to track and report the often forgotten or overlooked crimes perpetrated by those in our country illegally.

It is important to remember that for nearly every criminal alien in the Oregon prison system, there is at least one victim. This report can't contain the pain, heartache and loss that many have felt at the hands of an illegal alien criminal.

Thank you David for your continued work on this most serious problem.  David can be contacted at: http://docfnc.wordpress.com/

___________________________________________________________________

According to the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Population Profile dated January 1, 2014 DOC indicated there were 14,664 prisoners incarcerated in DOC’s 14 prisons (See attachment).

Not included in DOC’s January 1st Inmate Population Profile was DOC data indicating there were 1,165 foreign nationals (criminal aliens) incarcerated in its prison system (See attachment).

All 1,165 criminal aliens incarcerated on January 1st by DOC had United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detainers. The U.S. DHS–ICE is responsible for indentifying whether a DOC inmate is a criminal alien or a domestic inmate. If an inmate is identified as being a criminal alien, at U.S. DHS–ICE’s request, the DOC places an “ICE detainer” on the inmate that directs DOC officials to transfer custody to ICE following completion of the inmate’s state sanction.

Criminal aliens made up approximately 7.94% of the DOC January 1st prison population (See table).
 

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Month/Day/Year

DOC Total Inmates

DOC Domestic Inmates

DOC Inmates W/ICE detainers

DOC % Inmates W/ICE detainers

January 1, 2008

13,405

12,378

1,027

7.66%

January 1, 2009

13,631

12,495

1,136

8.33%

January 1, 2010

13,784

12,564

1,220

8.85%

January 1, 2011

13,924

12,670

1,254

9.01%

January 1, 2012

13,937

12,751

1,186

8.51%

January 1, 2013

14,285

13,052

1,233

8.63%

January 1, 2014

14,664

13,499

1,165

7.94%

Source: Research and Evaluation DOC Unit-ICE inmates lists 01 JANUARY 08rtf – 01 JANUARY 14.rtf and Inmate Population Profile 01 JANUARY 08– 01 JANUARY 14.

Comparing DOC criminal alien incarceration numbers from January 1, 2008 (1,027 criminal aliens) and January 1, 2014 (1,165 criminal aliens), the DOC prison system incarcerated 138 criminal aliens more than it did on January 1, 2008, a 13.44% increase (See table).

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Month/Day/Year

DOC Total Inmates W/ICE detainers

DOC Inmates W/ICE detainers # Increase or (Decrease) from Previous Year

DOC Inmates W/ICE detainers % Increase or (Decrease) from Previous Year

January 1, 2008

1,027

————

————

January 1, 2009

1,136

109

10.61%

January 1, 2010

1,220

84

7.39%

January 1, 2011

1,254

34

2.79%

January 1, 2012

1,186

(68)

(5.42%)

January 1, 2013

1,233

47

3.96%

January 1, 2014

1,165

(68)

(5.51%)

Total

138

13.44%

Source: Research and Evaluation DOC Unit-ICE inmates lists 01 JANUARY 08rtf – 01 JANUARY 14.rtf and Inmate Population Profile 01 JANUARY 08– 01 JANUARY 14.

When comparing DOC domestic criminal incarceration numbers from January 1, 2008 (12,378 domestic criminals) and January 1, 2014 (13,499 domestic criminals), the DOC prison system incarcerated 1,121 domestic criminals more than it did on January 1, 2008, a 9.06% increase (See table).

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Month/Day/Year

DOC Total Domestic Inmates

DOC Domestic Inmates # Increase or (Decrease) from Previous Year

DOC Domestic Inmates % Increase or (Decrease) from Previous Year

January 1, 2008

12,378

————

————

January 1, 2009

12,495

117

0.94%

January 1, 2010

12,564

69

0.55%

January 1, 2011

12,670

106

0.84%

January 1, 2012

12,751

81

0.64%

January 1, 2013

13,052

301

2.36%

January 1, 2014

13,499

447

3.42%

Total

1,121

9.06%

Source: Research and Evaluation DOC Unit-ICE inmates lists 01 JANUARY 08rtf – 01 JANUARY 14.rtf and Inmate Population Profile 01 JANUARY 08– 01 JANUARY 14.

Bringing the preceding numbers together, from January 1st 2008 – 2014, six years, the DOC prison population grew by 1,259 domestic and criminal alien prisoners; 10.96% of the overall growth was in criminal alien prisoners.

A review of the 1,165 criminal aliens in DOC prisons by number per county and percentage (%) per county equated to the following: 0-Baker (0.00%); 17-Benton (1.46%); 79-Clackamas (6.78%); 6-Clatsop (0.51%); 2-Columbia (0.17%); 6-Coos (0.51%); 2-Crook (0.17%); 0-Curry (0.00%); 17-Deschutes (1.46%); 6-Douglas (0.51%); 1-Gilliam (0.08%); 0-Grant (0.00%); 0-Harney (0.00%); 6-Hood River (0.51%); 49-Jackson (4.21%); 9-Jefferson (0.77%); 7-Josephine (0.60%); 8-Klamath (0.69%); 0-Lake (0.00); 56-Lane (4.81%); 8-Lincoln (0.69%); 26-Linn (2.23%); 12-Malheur (1.03%); 279-Marion (23.95%); 4-Morrow (0.34%); 269-Multnomah (23.09%); 1-OOS (0.08%); 18-Polk (1.54%); 0-Sherman (0.00%); 5-Tillamook (0.43%); 21-Umatilla (1.80%); 4-Union (0.34); 0-Wallowa (0.00%); 3-Wasco (0.26%); 214-Washington (18.37%); 0-Wheeler (0.00%); and 30-Yamhill (2.57%).

No member of the Oregon State Legislature should forget the uncounted crime victims and their families, no matter what their immigration status, all victims of the 1,165 criminal aliens incarcerated in DOC prisons.

A review of the 1,165 criminal aliens in the DOC prison population by numbers per crime and percentage (%) per crime equated to the following: 2-arsons (0.17%); 113-assaults (9.70%); 24-burglaries (2.06%); 19-driving offenses (1.63%); 172-drugs (14.76%); 0-escape (0.00%); 2-forgeries (0.17%);                   148-homicides (12.70%); 47-kidnappings (4.03%); 61-others (5.24%); 179-rapes (15.36%); 74-robberies (6.35%); 215-sex abuses (18.45%);                           92-sodomies (7.90%); 11-thefts (0.94%); and 6-vehicle thefts (0.51%).

Oregon State Legislators should not overlook the source of the preceding crimes, the country of origin of the 1,165 criminal aliens in DOC prisons.

The self-declared countries of origin of the 1,165 criminal aliens in the DOC prison population by numbers and percentage (%) per country equated to the following: 7-Canada (0.60%); 10-Cuba (0.86%); 14-El Salvador (1.20%); 7-Federated States of Micronesia (0.60%); 31-Guatemala (2.66%); 12-Honduras (1.03%); 7-Laos (0.60%); 950-Mexico (81.54%); 6-Philippines (0.51%); 84-others (7.21%); 9-Russia (0.77%); 13-Ukraine (1.11%); and 15-Vietnam (1.29%).

Beyond the DOC criminal alien incarceration numbers and incarceration percentages, per county and per crime type, or even country of origin, criminal aliens pose high economic cost on Oregonians.

An individual prisoner incarcerated in the DOC prison system costs the state approximately ($87.08) per day; the cost to incarcerate a prisoner increased ($2.27) per day in January 2014, a 2.67% increase from 2013’s cost of ($84.81) per day (See link).

http://www.oregon.gov/doc/GECO/docs/pdf/IB_53_quick_facts.pdf

The DOC’s incarceration cost for its 1,165 criminal alien prison population is approximately ($101,448.20) per day, ($710,137.40) per week, and ($37,028,593.00) per year.

Even taking into account fiscal year 2012 United States Federal Government State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) award of $1,996,569.00, if the State of Oregon receives the same amount of SCAAP funding for fiscal year 2014, the cost to incarcerate 1,165 criminal aliens to the DOC will be at least ($35,032,024.00) (See link).

https://www.bja.gov/Funding/12SCAAPAwards.pdf

None of my preceding cost estimates for the DOC to incarcerate the 1,165 criminal aliens include the dollar amount for legal services (indigent defense), court costs, nor cost estimates to cover victim assistance.

An unfortunate fact, the State of Oregon is not fully cooperating with the U.S. DHS–ICE to fight crime committed by criminal aliens who reside in Oregon.

In year 2007, a United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) report titled “Cooperation of SCAAP (State Criminal Alien Assistance Program) Recipients in the Removal of Criminal Aliens from the United States, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General Audit Division, Audit Report 07-07, January 2007, Redacted-Public Version” identified the State of Oregon as having an official “state sanctuary statute,” ORS 181.850 Enforcement of federal immigration laws (See link).

http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/reports/OJP/a0707/final.pdf

The USDOJ, the federal governments top law enforcement agency, identified Oregon as a “sanctuary” for criminal aliens.

An Oregon law, Oregon Revised Statue 181.850 (ORS 181.850), Section (1), prohibits Oregon law enforcement (Oregon State Police (OSP), county sheriffs, city police departments) from asking immigration status of anyone residing in the State of Oregon “for the purpose of detecting or apprehending persons whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.” Under ORS 181.850, Section (2), Oregon law enforcement may exchange information with U.S. DHS–ICE . . . “in order to: Subsection (a), “Verify the immigration status of a person if the person is arrested for any criminal offense;” or, Subsection (b), “Request criminal investigation information with reference to persons named in records of the” U.S. DHS–ICE . . . (See link).

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/2011ors181.html

The State of Oregon should no longer be classified by U.S. federal government law enforcement as having an official “state sanctuary statute” for criminal aliens, nor should Oregon be a sanctuary for criminal aliens to kill, rape, maim or abuse Oregonians.

  Read more about By the numbers - crime statistics

Do you hear it, too?

It's the sound of flushing our wonderful country going down the toilet. 

Every morning, I wake up and think I must have been having a nightmare - this can't be true.  And, every morning it's even worse.

Many states are under attack - just to name a few:

New Mexico continues to give driver licenses to illegal aliens - in spite of the increasing fraud and ID theft they have been struggling with for over 10 years.

Colorado now has dangerous drug cartels taking advantage of their new legalized marijuana laws.

Washington is on the brink of allowing illegal alien students (already granted an in state tuition benefit) to access grant money.

Oregon, is on the brink of granting driver privilege cards to illegal aliens, if PODL isn't successful in overturning the new law in November.

And now, the GOP leadership announces its plans and principles for immigration reform...

What the hell is going on here?  I keep asking myself this question - over and over again.

Are our elected officials so indebted to big business donors, are they so swayed by lobbying bands of charismatic illegal aliens and their smooth talking advocates, are they so corrupt, or heaven forbid - are they just so stupid they don't see the handwriting on the wall.  Do they stand on any principles whatsoever or do they even have any kind of moral compass?  It would appear the answer to those questions is NO!

Our country is being sucked down the crapper with the guiding hand of many of our elected officials from both sides of the aisle!  Our nation's sovereignty and everything our great nation stands for is at risk.  These politicians are willing to flush all the men and women who fought and died for our freedom, all the immigrants who followed the rules and came here the right way and all the hard working, tax paying, law abiding citizens are going down with it.

After the big flush - think about what will be left of our country.  That's where the nightmare really begins.

Every single one of you that reads this post must call your Congressman and tell them that if they don't do everything in their power to stop this train wreck of 'immigration reform', if they support it in any way, you will do everything in your power to see they never return to Washington for another term.

Let's stop this nightmare and shine a light on the politicians flushing our great country down the toilet!

Start calling today!

To find the information you need click here.

Also, please call:

  • House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) 202-225-0600 and
  • House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) 202-225-4000

Woof woof: Portland police dog sniffs out $1.5 million in meth

A Portland police dog has been credited with sniffing out 31 pounds of meth worth nearly $1.5 million during a routine traffic stop late last week on Interstate 84, the Portland Police Bureau reported....

Two occupants of the car were released by police, who then arrested 36-year-old Nestor Catarino Zazueta-Valenzuela, 36.
  Read more about Woof woof: Portland police dog sniffs out $1.5 million in meth

Colorado pot shops likely targets of cartels, say experts

As the smoke settles from the first week of legal marijuana sales in Colorado, experts are warning that sanctioned pot dealers could become targets for the very folks they put out of business.

Taking over a trade once ruled by drug cartels and turning it into an all-cash business could make pot shops prime targets for extortion, black-market competition and robbery. One veteran border narcotics agent told FoxNews.com Colorado's legal pot industry will find it hard to keep the criminals from horning in on a lucrative business they once controlled.

"What is quite possible is that cartels will hire straw owners who have clean records who can apply for a license, then sell large quantities both legally and on the black market."

- Denver DEA office spokesman Albert Villasuso

"Mexico is already in Colorado without the risks," the agent, who requested anonymity, said of the state's heavy pre-existing cartel presence. "Legal businesses will likely see a rise in extortion attempts while law enforcement will see a lot of backdoor deals being made."

Cartels, especially the Juarez and Sinaloa, who have a strong presence in Colorado, could not have been happy with the estimated $1 million in sales Jan. 1, the first day of legalized retail sales. In 2012 the Mexican Competitiveness Institute issued a report saying that Mexico’s cartels would lose as much as $1.425 billion if Colorado legalized marijuana. The organization also predicted that drug trafficking revenues would fall 20 to 30 percent, and the Sinaloa cartel, which would be the most affected, would lose up to 50 percent.

Faced with such losses, the violent cartels could force their way in as black market wholesalers or simply rob pot dispensaries, which take only cash and have not been able to establish accounts with banks because of lenders' fears of violating federal laws. But the general consensus is that the Mexican cartels will not quietly relinquish the Denver market.

The owner of the Colorado Springs dispensary told the Denver Post he is planning to get a concealed-weapons permit, for protection when he has to move money out of the store.

"Any way you plan it out, there's going to be a large amount of cash around," he said. "And that's extremely scary."

Denver police are taking a wait-and-see posture as to what may emerge.

“It’s only been a week, so we still have to sit back and see how this will play out,” Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson told FoxNews.com. “We’re a police department, we’re always concerns about what may happen.”

Jackson said he would not speculate as to if or which cartels may decide to infiltrate the legitimate businesses or how.

“We’re concerned with the public consumption right now,” Jackson said.

The Marijuana Enforcement Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue, the primary enforcement office responsible for overseeing the production and sale of the retail marijuana, did not return repeated attempts by Fox News.com for comment.

Denver DEA office spokesman Albert Villasuso said with some 50 retail outlets in operation, the agency can only monitor if, how and when the cartels decide to move in to the legalized retail industry in Colorado.

"What is quite possible is that cartels will hire straw owners who have clean records who can apply for a license, then sell large quantities both legally and on the black market," Villasuso said. "We still don't know what the fall out will be but when there is this much money involved the potential is great for groups to want capitalize."

Villasuso also said that even if legal stores do face extortion efforts by cartel groups it is unlikely law enforcement will even be made aware of it if merchants are too frightened to come to police. Extortion has proven to be a lucrative ancillary enterprise for cartels in Mexico resulting in thousands of businesses closing rather than pay the quota, as it is called, or the store owners face the threat of death, which too has occurred.

One group who hopes to mitigate any risks is the Blue Line Protection Group, which specializes only in security for the marijuana stores.

Seeing a growing market, Ted Daniels started the company and uses ex-military and law enforcement to provide security for the stores' money and supply shipments, and the growing operations. The highly-trained and combat-experienced guards are heavily-armed with assault rifles and protective vests.

"This was an industry here that created a lot of challenges," Daniels told WDVR television news in Denver Jan. 7. "This group I put together is designed specifically to protect product, people, and money." Read more about Colorado pot shops likely targets of cartels, say experts

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