The illegal fentanyl supply of a local drug trafficker is linked to a fatal overdose in Portland, according to federal allegations. Efrain Roberto Diaz-Rangel, 34, a Mexican national residing in Portland, has been charged with possessing fentanyl and opium with the intent to distribute.
According to court documents, the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team (WIN) initiated an investigation into a suspected fentanyl overdose involving an adult victim in Portland in April 2023. Investigators identified multiple participants in a distribution chain responsible for selling counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, some of which were determined to have contributed to the death of the Portland victim.
In May 2023, WIN requested assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with an investigation. WIN and HSI obtained evidence that Diaz-Rangel was implicated in the previously identified fentanyl distribution chain. HSI special agents apprehended Diaz-Rangel on June 27, 2023. Diaz-Rangel possessed approximately 1,000 counterfeit pills and a minor amount of heroin at the time of his arrest.
Do you know that on Tuesday night (27 June), 5-year-old Salix Heisinger lost his way and entered the woods outside of his family’s Washington County home? The area was searched by his family, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Search and Rescue:
The agents discovered an additional 30,000 counterfeit medications, several additional pounds of heroin, and over $10,000 in cash within Diaz-Rangel’s residence. Diaz-Rangel made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman. His detention was ordered pending further court proceedings.
Other news outlets have also shared the news on social media –
An accused Portland-area drug trafficker is facing charges after federal prosecutors say his supply of illicit fentanyl was linked to a fatal overdose. https://t.co/xpCysluggF
— Central Oregon Daily News (@CODaily) June 28, 2023
This investigation was conducted jointly by WIN and HSI, with assistance from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT) and the Portland Police Bureau. Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation of a crime, and until proven guilty, a defendant is presumed innocent.
