Connect with us

Eugene

‘A Consistent Cycle’: Drug distribution in the wake of Eugene drug bust

Published

on

Two hundred and sixty pounds of methamphetamine, 16 pounds of heroin and six pounds of fentanyl were among the many items seized in a drug bust that took place in Eugene, federal prosecutors announced on Oct. 29. The bust was coordinated by many enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level.

The investigation resulted in the arrests of 34 individuals and the confiscation of $750,000 in cash used to facilitate drug transactions, 76 firearms, one hand grenade and multiple vehicles as well as the drugs. The United States Attorney’s Office revealed in a press statement that the individuals arrested were a part of a major international drug trafficking organization.

Eugene was the hub for a vast number of distribution branches across Oregon and beyond, according to Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner.

“It always shocks me a little bit that people don’t believe or haven’t come to terms with the fact that when you’re a community our size on the I-5 corridor, you’re the perfect component for a hub-and-spoke-type of distribution operation when you’re dealing with drug trafficking organizations,” Skinner said. A hub-and spoke operation refers to a central figure (hub) distributing operations to a number of co-conspirators (spokes) to extend the range of an operation.

Skinner noted a few different implications that this drug bust could have on the community, the first being the decrease in drug circulation in Eugene and surrounding areas that may be home to distribution branches.

“Anytime you take off a drug trafficking organization of this size, there’s going to be positive repercussions throughout not only the local community, but the extended communities that were kind of in the pipeline or on the spokes of this particular hub,” Skinner said.

Skinner said, however, that when a drug trafficking ring of this size is taken down, the expectation is that someone will take its place. The Eugene Police Department’s next steps include keeping track of the movement of controlled substances in order to better identify any trends that indicate a new drug trafficking hub, he said.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Man who didn’t seek medicaI help after realizing his child was going Iimp and had no puIse, only to end up leaving the home to an unknown location and returning days later to find him in an advanced state of dcomposition, was sentenced

Arizona – An Arizona man was sentenced last week after pIeading guilty to two counts of chiId abuse in connection...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Woman dies after her husband’s dad, who had been planning the assauIt for a week, followed her and fataIIy shot her because he was angry with her over separation paperwork she had fiIed against his son, police

Illinois – An Illinois man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the fataI shooting of his family member’s spouse,...

Eugene5 days ago

EPD to host National Night Out event at PK Park on August 3

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host its annual National Night Out celebration on Saturday, August 3, at...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene invites community to participate in 2025 survey to guide future planning

Eugene, OR – The City of Eugene is inviting residents to participate in its 2025 Community Survey, now available online...

Eugene5 days ago

EPD arrests 18-year-old in 2024 Broadway shooting after joint investigation with Springfield Police

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police have arrested 18-year-old Damyen Lee Marshall Peterson in connection with a shooting that occurred in...

Crime & Safety6 days ago

Man claims the person he shared an apartment with repeatedly punched him in the head and ‘just wouldn’t listen’ when he warned him not to come any closer while holding a bIade, after inflicting fataI injuries: police

Indiana – An Indiana man, 25-year-old DrayIon, was arrested and charged with one count of murder following a fatal stabing...

Eugene1 week ago

South Eugene apartment fire quickly contained with dog rescued and no injuries reported

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire responded to an apartment fire in South Eugene late Friday morning, quickly containing the...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

49-year-old home invasion suspect arrested with license plate reader assistance

Eugene, OR – On July 23 at approximately 6:57 p.m., the Eugene Police Department (EPD) successfully apprehended 49-year-old Kristi Lee...

Eugene1 week ago

Early morning fire destroys East Eugene home near Hendricks Park, no injuries reported

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a fully involved house fire early Friday morning in the 2800...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Two arrested in armed robbery at Willamette Street apartment complex

Eugene, OR – Two individuals were taken into custody early Wednesday morning following an armed robbery at an apartment complex...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police celebrates the largest cadet group in more than 15 years, highlighting growth, mentorship, and future leadership

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department is celebrating a major milestone as its Cadet Program reaches its largest group...

Trending