Police Say Drug Bust Involved International Trafficking

Several arrested in culmination of lengthly narcotics investigation.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Several people were arrested today in what police describe as the culmination of a long-term investigation into a Salem area based drug trafficking organization.

State, local and federal law enforcement agencies teamed up to serve search warrants at several locations throughout the Salem area, Police Spokesman Dave Okada said. Investigators believe the group was responsible for transporting substantial amounts of various kinds of narcotics both within the United States and internationally as well.

Okada says that during operations today, at least twelve people were taken into custody on a variety of Federal narcotics related charges.

"At least eight children have been taken into protective custody, several vehicles and firearms have been seized and a substantial amount of narcotics and money have been located," Okada said.

"Operations on this case are ongoing and further information on the names and charges of suspects arrested, locations searched and evidence seized will be released in the near future."

He calls the investigation an excellent example of intense cooperation, coordination and teamwork between State, Local and Federal law enforcement.

Federal agencies working in Salem on the case include the Drug Enforcement Agency, US Marshal's Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

State and local agencies included Salem PD, Keizer PD, Marion County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Marion County Meth Task Force, Polk County Interagency Narcotics Team, Oregon Department of Justice, Oregon HIDTA. Several other state and local law enforcement agencies from numerous other jurisdictions were also involved in this investigation.