Ontario drug raid nabs suspected major fentanyl dealer
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ONTARIO — (Release from Ontario Police) On April 2, 2024, the High Desert Drug Task Force (HDDTF), Ontario Police Department, and the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant on a suspected fentanyl dealer’s house in the 400 block of NW 5th Street in Ontario, Oregon. The location of the search warrant has had multiple fentanyl overdoses recently, including one overdose death.
The primary suspect was arrested and lodged in the Malheur County Jail. Approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, a half ounce of fentanyl, a loaded handgun and various other items of drug dealing evidence were seized.
Jose Vasquez (60) from Ontario Oregon was arrested on multiple charges including felon in possession of a firearm, felony possession of methamphetamine – commercial drug offense, felony possession of fentanyl – commercial drug offense, attempted delivery of methamphetamine, attempted delivery of fentanyl, and manufacture of fentanyl and methamphetamine all within 1000 feet of an elementary school.
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.
