Mexican fentanyl trafficker who spread ‘suffering’ in Lane County sentenced

(The Center Square) – An international drug trafficking organization leader who operated in Lane County, Oregon, Victor Diaz-Ramirez, 33, got a 135-month federal prison sentence plus five years of supervised release, according the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Ramirez and the international organization trafficked methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine into Oregon between March 2018 and August 2020.

“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,” Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eugene and Medford Branch Offices, said in a statement. “This far-reaching investigation demonstrates the deep commitment of all involved law enforcement agencies to combatting drug trafficking and keeping our communities safe.”

The organization Diaz-Ramirez was involved with had many associates who transported drugs from southern California to Oregon. The traffickers received cash from local drug dealers for their drugs.

Law enforcement seized over 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl and 18 rifles during this investigation.

It also forfeited about $1.2 million from the organization, including over $400,000 in cash.

Overall, 35 people have been charged for their role in this organization. This includes “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,” a release said.

A federal grand jury in Eugene indicted Diaz-Ramirez with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on August 5, 2020.

Then, 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,” the release said.

The news comes as Oregon lawmakers recriminalized drug possession this past spring due to the negative consequences of the 2020 voter-approved Measure 110 that decriminalized it.

After the measure became law, fentanyl-related drug overdose deaths more than doubled in the state.