“Historic” Oregon Drug Busts Lead to Discovery of Over 53lbs of Fentanyl Powder

Portland, Oregon- The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Dangerous Drugs Team (DDT) concluded a months-long investigation with one of the most significant illegal fentanyl seizures in the state’s history. The raid, conducted on December 7, 2023, not only marked the largest fentanyl seizure in the agency’s history but also served as a blow to a drug trafficking organization operating in the tri-county area and throughout the state.

The DDT, a grant-funded narcotics task force, executed a search warrant leading to the discovery of more than 52 pounds of fentanyl powder at a Portland location and over one pound of fentanyl powder, along with over 8,000 fentanyl pills, in Oregon City. The operation also uncovered a substantial cache of illegal weapons, including firearms destined for locations outside the United States.

The seized fentanyl powder, estimated at over 50 pounds, could have yielded a staggering 11 million individual doses, preventing a potential public health crisis in the area. Detectives, facing the risks associated with handling such a volume of fentanyl, utilized personal protective equipment, and NARCAN (Naloxone nasal spray) was on hand to address accidental exposure.

Law enforcement booked three suspects into the Multnomah County Detention Center: Luis Funez (23), Gerson Isaac Hernandez Betancurt (21), and Dezirae Ann Torset (37). The case has now been forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further legal proceedings.

The Dangerous Drugs Team, an area narcotics task force, operates with an intelligence-driven, multi-agency, prosecutor-supported approach. Supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the team comprises members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police, FBI, Parole and Probation, and U.S. Marshals.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder to the public about the lethal nature of fentanyl, emphasizing the DEA’s report that only 2 milligrams of the substance — equivalent to a few grains of salt — can result in a fatal overdose. The prevalence of potentially lethal doses in DEA-tested pills highlights the severity of the fentanyl crisis. For further information, the public is encouraged to visit the DEA’s Fentanyl Awareness page.