Cops in Portland, Oregon, announced one of the biggest single-day seizures of illegal drugs in the state’s history this week. On August 8, investigators revealed how fentanyl and heroin worth as much as $2 million had been recovered by the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit.
The Portland Police Bureau described how 90lbs of methamphetamine had been recovered, along with 3.8lbs of heroin and 11lbs of fentanyl. The drugs were recovered during a highway stop on Interstate 5.
In a statement published by the Portland Police Bureau, the investigation was described as “ongoing and long-term in nature,” meaning little in the way of details will be released any time soon. However, the bureau did add that a “significant” amount of illegal narcotics frequently enter Portland via vehicles on the Interstate 5 corridor and that agents will continue monitoring the area.
Earlier in 2024, authorities conducted another traffic stop on the same highway and seized over 200lbs of methamphetamine. In 2022, 80lbs of cocaine were also seized from a car on the same highway.
On top of seizing drugs and restricting the sale of controlled substances, Portland authorities are working on social programs designed to provide support to the thousands of people afflicted with drug addiction in the city. In April, authorities announced a new partnership between public health workers and police officers in the downtown Portland area designed to provide additional support to addicts.
The program, which began in December, 2023, saw officers from Portland’s Police Bureau bike squad and Oregon State Police issuing $100 citations for people found to be taking drugs. Under Ballot Measure 110, however, those given citations were also given the opportunity to call a state-run phone hotline to help them get treatment. While the program did see an uptick in the number of people who called the hotlines, few followed up with additional calls and sought treatment. Under the latest version of the program, officers will provide drug addicts an immediate opportunity to connect with treatment providers.
