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…

News2 days ago

OEM activates State Emergency Coordination Center in response to winter storm impacting Western Oregon

Oregon – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) to Level 3...

News2 days ago

Eugene Police Department earns re-accreditation with Northwest Accreditation Alliance

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department earned re-accreditation with the Northwest Accreditation Alliance on January 8, 2025, following a thorough...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Community Safety Payroll Tax funds Eugene Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit to address high-impact criminal activity

Eugene, OR – According to the police officials, Eugene Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit plays a vital role in maintaining...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Woman claims her partner began to yell at her and pushed her against a wall because their special needs child soiIed his pants before putting the boy to sleep, grabbing a gun and killing the man; sentenced

Florida – A Florida woman, later identified as 39-year-old Lauri, was ordered to serve twenty five years behind bards after...

Eugene2 days ago

Multi-state burglary ring arrests made following extensive investigation by Eugene Police and surrounding agencies

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police have dedicated significant resources to investigating a multi-state burglary ring since the arrests of three individuals...

Oregon2 days ago

Winter weather causes multi-vehicle crashes and full closure of westbound I-84

Oregon – A crash on Thursday morning led to a full closure of westbound I-84 between Hood River (milepost 64) and...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire reminds residents of winter safety amid icy conditions and cold temperatures

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Springfield Fire Department is urging residents to stay safe as the Winter Weather Advisory remains in...

Eugene2 days ago

Armed man arrested after threatening construction workers and refusing to surrender in Eugene neighborhood

Eugene, OR – On February 12, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Eugene Police responded to a report from construction workers in...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Woman moved to a different state and lived in a vehicle with her child while donating pIasma to make money weeks after she strangIed her other son to death and then concealed his body in a shallow hole; charged

Michigan – In a tragic case that continues to unfold, a Michigan woman was arrested in Georgia in connection with...

Crime & Safety3 days ago

Man told his family member that he didn’t deserve the plate of food he was carrying before pushing the younger man, who then restrained him and struck him in the ribs several times, lacerating his spIeen and killing him; charges

Florida – A Florida man, identified as 19-year-old Jullien, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including manslaughter, in connection...

Oregon4 days ago

Oregon’s State 9-1-1 Program establishes new testing lab in Stayton to improve system reliability

Oregon – Oregon’s State 9-1-1 Program announced the establishment of its new State 9-1-1 testing lab in Stayton, Oregon. This...

Trending