Drug seizures in Multnomah County could set a record

On By Vaseline

Earlier this year, Multnomah County called the fentanyl crisis an emerging risk to public health, safety and the continuity of essential services to the community. The harmful effects of fentanyl are seen by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in our daily work. Our Law Enforcement Division has actively participated in the county’s 90-day emergency task force to provide perspective and align resources in combating the spread of fentanyl in the county.

MCSO has a dedicated team focused on disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking and criminal organizations in Multnomah County. The Dangerous Drugs Team (DDT) initiates investigations based on information received from a variety of sources, including patrol officers, community members, confidential informants and other law enforcement agencies. This team is funded by High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and includes MCSO members and an FBI special agent, a Gresham police officer, a probation officer and two analysts from the Oregon National Guard.

Agents and detectives continue to see a steady flow of fentanyl into Multnomah County and Oregon. In the first four months of 2024, the Dangerous Drugs Team seized:

  • 4.4 pounds of cocaine
  • 3.6 pounds of methamphetamine
  • Almost 1 pound of heroin
  • 28 pounds of fentanyl powder
  • 26,248 fentanyl pills

Additionally, DDT seized 59 firearms during their investigation. These recovered weapons include “ghost weapons,” which are weapons without a serial number, stolen weapons and weapons used in other crimes.

In 2023, MCSO had a record year for drug seizures, taking 92 pounds of fentanyl off the streets, compared to just 4 pounds the year before.

“The sheer volume of drugs DDT is removing from our community is astonishing and underscores how widespread the crisis is,” said Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “I appreciate DDT’s tenacity in addressing this emergency.”

Public Safety Advice:

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) now reports that laboratory tests show that seven in 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

MCSO would like to remind the public that one pill can be fatal. The DEA reports that it only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl – about the weight of a few grains of salt – to cause a fatal overdose. Today, six out of ten fentanyl pills tested by the DEA contain a potentially fatal dose. To learn more about the magnitude of the fentanyl crisis, visit the DEA’s Fentanyl Awareness page. Information about addiction treatment and recovery support in Multnomah County can be found here.

Source: Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office