PORTLAND, Ore.—United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced in a press conference today that, over the past three years, federal charges have been brought against more than 100 defendants for trafficking fentanyl in downtown Portland. Those arrests included seizures of more than 40 guns.
Starting in 2023, at a time when open-air drug markets were commonplace in downtown Portland and the county and state systems were unable to hold and prosecute these street-level fentanyl dealers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) stepped in to federally prosecute fentanyl dealers in downtown Portland.
A unique aspect of this partnership involved a dedicated team that included an FBI special agent, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, PPB’s Bike Squad, and PPB’s Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) going on late-night missions to target fentanyl dealers in downtown Portland.
As a result, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged more than 100 defendants for selling fentanyl in downtown Portland. Of these defendants, over 80% were illegal aliens from Honduras and Mexico unlawfully residing in Oregon. These cases have resulted in the seizure of more than 100 kilograms of fentanyl, 40 guns, and $1.3 million in proceeds. That is enough fentanyl to kill 50 million people, or Oregon’s population, 11 times.
After this project began additional law enforcement agencies became involved as dealers move from downtown to other areas. It has continued to be a growing partnership with local, state, and federal stakeholders in the broader Portland region.
“Our message is simple,” U.S. Attorney Bradford said, “if you are dealing fentanyl in downtown Portland, you will be arrested, federally prosecuted, and go to federal prison.” U.S. Attorney Bradford noted, “Three years ago, downtown Portland had notorious open-air drug markets and was in the news for all the wrong reasons. Downtown fentanyl dealers, many of whom were armed, were contributing to higher crime rates and overdoses. To many people, downtown Portland simply felt unsafe – and it was. As a result of these joint efforts, we are changing that.” U.S. Attorney Bradford emphasized, “Our coordinated and dynamic law enforcement response, with local, county, state, and federal partners, is making a difference in downtown Portland—reducing fentanyl trafficking, violent crime, and overdoses. We will continue to work with our partners to make Portland safe.”
“Our partnerships with the Portland Police Bureau, the Multnomah and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Offices, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office make all of this possible,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “To anyone dealing dangerous drugs downtown: it’s not a matter of if we catch you—it’s when.”
A summary of a few of these downtown fentanyl cases are listed below:
United States v. Luis Carlos Moreno-Mencia, Case No. 3:23-cr-354
On December 9, 2024, Luis Carlos Moreno-Mencia pled guilty to possession with the intent to Distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.
According to court documents, on or about September 28, 2023, Moreno-Mencia possessed approximately 167 grams of fentanyl for purposes of further distribution. Moreno-Mencia also possessed a firearm.
On March 3, 2025, Moreno-Mencia was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment, followed by 4 years of supervised release. He is facing deportation back to Honduras.
United States v. Olvin Fabricio Diaz-Centeno, Case No. 3:23-cr-00301
On October 3, 2024, Olvin Fabricio Diaz-Centeno pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, Diaz-Centeno was working with others distributing fentanyl, in both powder and pills, within the greater Portland metropolitan area. On or about September 6, 2023, Diaz-Centeno and his co-defendant were arrested and a search of the vehicle they were in resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 kilograms of counterfeit M30 pills manufactured with fentanyl and 1 kilogram of Super Mannitol, a cutting agent used to mix with fentanyl for purposes of further distribution. A search of a storage unit Diaz-Centeno and co-defendant maintained resulted in the seizure of approximately 460 grams of counterfeit M30 pills manufactured with fentanyl and 2.1 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, as well as additional Super Mannitol. A search of their residence resulted in the seizure of three pistols; ammunition; and equipment for processing fentanyl for purposes of further distribution, to include vice presses, a scale, masks, Super Mannitol, and a blender.
On December 13, 2024, Diaz-Centeno was sentenced to 87 months’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He is facing deportation back to Honduras.
United States v. Bexon Calix-Rivera, Case No. 3:24-cr-00232
On March 12, 2025, Bexon Calix-Rivera pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, from January 2023 through to June 2024 Calix-Rivera was arrested by police on multiple occasions.
On June 4, 2024, PPB officers recognized Calix-Rivera from the encounter ten days prior. Officers observed Calix-Rivera carrying a hatchet and engaged in hand-to-hand drug transactions in downtown Portland. Officers attempted to detain Calix-Rivera, but he fled on foot. When officers apprehended Calix-Rivera, they seized fentanyl powder, a firearm, and $755 in cash. PPB officers booked Calix-Rivera in the Multnomah County Jail, and he was released the same day.
On June 11, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Calix-Rivera with possession of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. On October 28, 2024 he made his initial appearance on the federal charges and remained in custody.
On June 5, 2025, Calix-Rivera was sentenced to 78months imprisonment, followed by 4 years supervised release. pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He is facing deportation back to Honduras.
United States v. Cristian Laines-Hernandez, Case No. 3:25-cr-00405
On January 15, 2026, Cristian Laines-Hernandez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, January 18, 2025, Laines possessed to distribute 45 bags of prepackaged fentanyl which weighed approximately 339 grams. He was arrested on state charges and released from custody on January 22, 2025. On September 8, 2025, as part of a separate drug trafficking investigation, Laines was arrested by officers from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation’s Unit on federal charges. The state case was adopted for federal prosecution. The defendant was held in federal custody since the September 8, 2025, federal arrest.
On May 11, 2026, Laines was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. He is facing deportation back to Honduras.
United States v. Matthew Eugene Garlock, Case No. 3:25-cr-00164
On May 27,2026, Matthew Eugene Garlock pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, beginning on or about January 19, 2025, and continuing until on or about April 4, 2025, Garlock sold fentanyl in downtown Portland. Despite multiple arrests by local law enforcement, he continued distributing fentanyl. On each occasion he was arrested his fentanyl and firearm would be seized and he would then go out and acquire additional fentanyl to sell and an additional firearm for protection. A search of his residence resulted in the seizure of three pistols; ammunition; and equipment for processing fentanyl for further distribution, to include vice presses, a scale, masks, Super Mannitol, and a blender. On April 7, 2025, Garlock made his initial appearance on federal charges and was detained.
Garlock is in custody and scheduled for sentencing.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
