PRINEVILLE, OR -- Another local couple is accused of trafficking drugs from the Portland area to be distributed in Central Oregon. On Wednesday, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded a long-term investigation with the arrest of Israel Sanchez-Villagomez, age 26, of Prineville, and Katlyn McCue, age 22, of Redmond. 

During a concurrent investigation, drug agents identified Israel Sanchez-Villagomez as a fentanyl trafficker in the Crook County area. The initial investigation alleges Mr. Israel Sanchez-Villagomez imported fentanyl pills from the SE Portland / Gresham area into central Oregon where he distributes them throughout the community. Detectives had received information that Israel Sanchez-Villagomez may be armed with a firearm. 

Following an overnight multi-county surveillance operation, CODE Detectives applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant. At approximately, 11:15 AM, Sanchez-Villagomez and his girlfriend were contacted during a traffic stop on Highway 26 near NW Ryegrass Rd while she was driving an Audi A4. 

CODE Detectives and Crook County Deputies gathered and seized a commercial quantity of fake pharmaceutical tablets made of fentanyl along with powder fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other evidence of commercial drug sales from within the Audi. In addition to the drugs, Sanchez-Villagomez, a previously convicted felon, was also in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver. 

A “a commercial quantity” is defined by statute as five grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, or any substituted derivative of fentanyl as defined by the rules of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. This is not a separate criminal charge, rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines. 

The greater Portland area is a major transshipment hub where illegal drugs coming from the southwest border are stored in local warehouses, storage units, and residential properties. The bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers. The Portland area has an international airport, interstate highways, and bus and train lines that make it easy for shipments to be smuggled to other destinations around the pacific northwest.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 107,000 people have died as a result from a drug overdose or poisoning in the U.S. Criminal drug networks in Mexico are mass-producing illicit fentanyl and fake pills pressed with fentanyl in filthy, clandestine, unregulated labs. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. These fake pills typically replicate real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®).

Mr. Sanchez-Villagomez and Ms. McCue were lodged in the Crook County Sheriff’s Jail with the following criminal charges:

• Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) 
• Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Cocaine (Felony) 
• Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine (Felony)
• Unlawful Possession and Attempted Distribution of Heroin (Felony)
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Sanchez-Villagomez Only)
• Arrest Warrant - Parole Abscond (Sanchez-Villagomez Only)

CODE Detectives were assisted by the Crook County Sheriff’s patrol deputies, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, Redmond Police Street Crimes Unit, Oregon State Police, Crook County Parole and Probation, Warm Springs Tribal Police and Crook County 9-1-1.