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.
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon, said 33-year-old Victor Diaz-Ramirez was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five year’s supervised release.
Nathan Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford branch offices said, “While communities across our state continue to struggle with the ongoing drug crisis, there are criminal enterprises, like the Diaz-Ramirez drug trafficking organization, whose sole purpose is to profit from addiction and suffering. This far-reaching investigation demonstrates the deep commitment of all involved law enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking and keeping our communities safe”.
According to court documents, from at least March 2018 through August 2020, while operating out of Mexico, Diaz-Ramirez helped lead the organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of drugs from Mexico into the United States. It used a network of associates to transport the drugs from southern California to Oregon and deliver them to local distributors in exchange for cash.
The release said 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 forfeited approximately $1.2 million from the organization, including more than $400,000 in cash. In total, 35 people – including sources of supply in Mexico, couriers, local cell operators in Lane County, and first and second level distributors responsible for sales in and around Eugene – were charged and have been convicted for their roles in Diaz-Ramirez’s 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 a 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 Lieutenant Rick McArthur told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that the operation highly affected the Douglas County area. McArthur said indirectly much of the operation led to drugs ending up in Douglas County. He said huge amounts of drugs were also trafficked through the county.