Mexican Nationalist Caught in Oregon with 200 Pounds of Meth

Portland, Oregon – In a significant drug trafficking bust, 22-year-old Juan Manuel Berrelleza Leyva, a Mexican national residing in Portland, has been charged with federal offenses related to the possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the charges today.

According to court documents, on January 21, 2024, law enforcement received intel about a suspected drug trafficker, later identified as Leyva, transporting narcotics on Interstate 5 towards Portland. Investigators observed Leyva’s vehicle traveling north between Salem and Tualatin. Following a brief attempt to elude law enforcement, Leyva pulled over.

A subsequent search of the vehicle, prompted by a narcotics K-9 alert, revealed over 200 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a duffle bag, suitcase, and trash bag. Additionally, just over two pounds of heroin were seized. Leyva confessed to entering the United States seven months prior and admitted to transporting drug shipments from other states to the Portland area.

Juan Manuel Berrelleza Leyva made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, who ordered him detained pending further court proceedings.

This investigation is a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN). Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, is prosecuting the case.

The Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force based in Washington County, Oregon. Comprising members from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverton and Hillsboro Police Departments, Oregon National Guard Counter Drug Program, DEA, FBI, and HSI, WIN focuses on combating drug trafficking in the region.

This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb drug trafficking and protect communities from the harmful impact of illegal substances. The case against Leyva will proceed through the federal court system, highlighting the commitment to justice in the fight against drug-related crimes.