Large Ontario drug bust includes a dozen guns and endangered kids
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, March 18th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ONTARIO – (Release by Malheur County Sheriff’s Office) On March 14, 2024, The High Desert Drug Task Force (HDDTF), Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario Police Department and the Oregon State Police served a search warrant on a suspected methamphetamine dealer’s house in the 3900 block of SE 2nd Street near Ontario, Oregon.
Multiple individuals were contacted including several potentially drug endangered children. Three adults, including the primary suspect, were arrested and lodged in the Malheur County Jail. Twelve firearms and body armor were seized from the convicted felon suspect, including multiple assault rifles and a silenced pistol. Over one ounce of methamphetamine and other items of drug dealing evidence were also seized. A stolen trailer was also recovered from the property and returned to its owner in Fruitland, Idaho.
Christopher Edmonson (52) from Ontario Oregon – Arrested on twelve counts of felon in possession of a firearm, felony possession of a silencer, felon in possession of body armor, felony possession of methamphetamine – commercial drug offense, attempted delivery of methamphetamine and theft I. Edmonson was also arrested on an outstanding felony warrant out of Idaho for a Parole Violation.
John Faries (56) from Ontario Oregon – Arrested on Washington State warrants for fugitive from another state on original charges of attempt to elude
Amber Tremayne (29) from Ontario Oregon – Arrested on three felony warrants out of Payette County, Idaho for possession of a controlled substance. Tremayne was also arrested for multiple Malheur County warrants for failure to appear, DUII and reckless endangering.
The High Desert Drug Task Force (HDDTF) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. HDDTF is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Ontario Police Department, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police. HDDTF is supported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baker City Police Department, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Nyssa Police Department, Payette Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Idaho State Police, Malheur County District Attorney’s Office and numerous other local and federal law enforcement partners.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the HDDTF.
