Portland’s law enforcement is employing a new strategy to combat illegal and hazardous drugs on the city’s streets. A Portland police officer recently apprehended a man for “Practicing Medicine Without a License” after observing him dealing drugs in the downtown area.
Eli Arnold has been a member of the Portland Police Bureau for roughly six years. He has spent the last two years on the Central Bike Squad of the bureau.
Officer Arnold stated –
“I primarily deal with street level crime which includes a lot of drug use, drug dealing, and the associated crime.”
On June 14, near the intersection of Southwest 9th and Morrison, Officer Arnold observed a man, later identified as John Baker Jr., dealing drugs while on patrol. The officer walked up to the individual.
Officer Arnold said –
“He appeared to be one of these low-level dealers.”
“He had a little bit of drugs but not a ton, not a lot of money, and he had a story.”
Baker, according to Officer Arnold, told him he was dealing narcotics to withdrawal-stricken individuals. Baker pretended to be a doctor despite not being one.
Officer Arnold stated –
“He told me he hadn’t been to medical school and didn’t have prescription writing authority.”
Officer Arnold arrested Baker for “Practicing Medicine Without a License” after determining that he was in possession of a minor amount of drugs — 2.1 grams of meth and two fentanyl pills, according to court documents.
Officer Arnold said –
“He didn’t have all the markers we see a lot with a regular delivery case and so I thought this is a great opportunity to try this out and explore the charge.”
Do you know that the Portland Police Bureau has identified the two men who died in a car crash on June 4? Larry A. Ayala-Valdez, 22, of Milwaukie, and Adrian Gama, 22, of Clackamas County, were confirmed as the driver and passenger:
This type of strategy is not uncommon. Since the beginning of the year, the Multnomah County District Attorney has prosecuted over six individuals for trademark infringement.
These individuals marked counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl with M30, thereby trespassing on Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals’ trademark.
Officer Arnold stated about his recent arrest –
“I personally feel it offensive to sell fentanyl for $4 or something to a guy dying on the sidewalk.”
A spokesman confirmed that they would be prosecuting Baker for “Practicing Medicine without a License” and that the matter will be presented to a Grand Jury.
The statement from the DA’s office read –
“It is important to us to use all available laws to prosecute people who are propagating dangerous drugs like fentanyl on our streets.”
How do you feel about the strategy the police officer employed to apprehend the alleged drug dealer in the heart of Portland? Please share your thoughts in the section below.
