Mexican Man Charged In Large-Scale Oregon Drug Trafficking Operation

Monday, August 4, 2025, 11:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PORTLAND, OR.- Following an investigation, a 45-year-old Mexican national, illegally residing in Salem, Oregon, is potentially facing spending the rest of his life in federal prison after being taken into custody and jailed after being charged by federal criminal complaint with federal drug trafficking crimes.

     According to U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Gildardo Rivera Garcia, 45, of Mexico, illegally residing in Salem, Oregon, was formally charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Fentanyl; and Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Heroin in connection with allegedly more than 43 pounds of illicit narcotics within the District of Oregon.

According To Charging Information Filed In The Complaint

     According to the charging information filed in the criminal complaint, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, as part of a drug trafficking and a string of fatal fentanyl overdoses investigation, Investigators of the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration executed a federal court-authorized search warrant at Garcia’s Salem, Oregon, residence.

     During the search, Investigators uncovered and seized around 14.5 kilograms or approximately 32 pounds of fentanyl, around 5 kilograms or approximately 11 pounds of heroin, an automated money counter, various items of drug paraphernalia, indicative of drug trafficking, various rounds of ammunition and ammunition magazines, and U.S. currency. 

     At the time of the search, Garicia was taken into custody without incident. On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Garcia made his first appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and was ordered to be detained pending trial.

If Convicted, Garcia Faces Life In Federal Prison

     If convicted at trial, Garcia faces, on each count, a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. At sentencing, upon a finding of guilt, a U.S. District Court Judge would determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offenses, such as aggravating factors, and Garcia’s prior criminal history. Upon completion of any sentence imposed, Garcia would face immediate deportation proceedings and be removed from the United States.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”