HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION IS IN PRISON – KQEN News Radio

June 19, 2024 4:15 a.m.

The leader of an international drug trafficking organization operating in Lane County and credited with impacting Douglas County, responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine into the state between 2018 and 2020, was sentenced to federal prison on Tuesday.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, Victor Diaz-Ramirez, 33, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.

Nathan Lichvarcik, head of the Eugene and Medford branches of the U.S. Attorney's Office, said, “As communities across our state continue to struggle with the ongoing drug crisis, there are criminal enterprises, such as the organization Diaz-Ramirez drug trafficking scheme, whose sole purpose is to profit from addiction and suffering. This large-scale investigation demonstrates the deep commitment of all law enforcement agencies involved in the fight against drug trafficking and the safety of our communities.

According to court documents, between at least March 2018 and August 2020, while operating from Mexico, Diaz-Ramirez helped lead the organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of drugs from Mexico to the United States. The company used a network of associates to transport the drugs from Southern California to Oregon and deliver them to local distributors in exchange for money.

The release states that as part of this investigation, law enforcement seized more than 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, 6 pounds of fentanyl, 3 rifle optics and ammunition. Investigators also confiscated approximately $1.2 million from the organization, including more than $400,000 in cash. A total of 35 people – including sources of supply in Mexico, couriers, local cell phone carriers in Lane County, and first- and second-tier distributors responsible for sales in and around Eugene – have been charged and convicted for their role in the Diaz-Ramirez organization. .

On August 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Diaz-Ramirez with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On November 1, 2023, Diaz-Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count superseding criminal information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and several other agencies, including the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team.

DINT Commander Lt. Rick McArthur told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that the operation heavily affected the Douglas County area. McArthur said that indirectly, much of the operation led to drugs ending up in Douglas County. He said huge quantities of drugs were also being trafficked across the county.