Police arrested two men and confiscated almost 30 pounds meth, 26 firearms and 15 pounds cocaine during a Tuesday drug bust at a South Salem house.
Salem Police detectives claimed that the arrest occurred after a long investigation into narcotics traficking and illegally manufacturing firearms.
The residence at 2700 Block High Street SE was also home to approximately 55,000 fentanyl tablets, a 3D printer and $63,274 cash. It is located near McKinley Elementary School.
Salem Police partnered with the Safe Streets Task Force, a collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Oregon to target narcotics trafficking and violent crime in Salem.
Their investigation led them to Leonel Covarrubias Hernandez, 45, of Salem, and Silvia Rodriguez Diaz, 50, of Salem.
Court records show that Covarrubias Hernandez was allegedly selling counterfeit oxycodone pills containing Fentanyl three more times in the span of two months.
The team went on an investigation and found the house at High Street and Waldo Avenue, South Salem.
Covarrubias Hernandez was arrested on Tuesday after extensive surveillance that included monitoring the cell phone geolocations and inspecting the house’s garbage.
Detectives found two handguns loaded with fentanyl and plastic bags containing the same in the vehicle.
According to police, the street value for the narcotics seized from the vehicle and house is just below $700,000.
Covarrubias Hernandez and Rodriguez Diaz were taken to the Multnomah County Jail and are facing drug-trafficking charges by the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Oregon.
They were both charged with conspiracy, possession and intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm to further a drug trafficking offense.
According to police officials, the Safe Streets Task Force investigations began in 2022 and have resulted, according to them, in the seizure and destruction of over 125,000 fentanyl-laced tablets. 1.5 lbs of fentanyl powder, almost 140 pounds of methamphetamine and 17 lbs of cocaine.
“Preventing illicit drugs from spreading in our city and illegal firearms from fueling violence is a top priority,” Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack said. “Yesterday’s arrest is an example of the incredible work being done by our detectives through the Safe Streets Project which can only be accomplished thanks to our federal partners.”
Whitney Woodworth, a reporter at the Statesman Journal, covers economic development and city hall. For questions, comments and news tips, email [email protected], call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth.
