PORTLAND, Ore. — A major drug bust in Portland has taken a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets. In a coordinated operation on September 3, 2025, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the FBI arrested a man linked to large-scale narcotics trafficking.
Details of the Arrest
Authorities identified the suspect as Ricardo Olivas Sentael, 34, who is now facing multiple criminal charges. According to the MCSO, investigators with the Dangerous Drugs Team (DDT) had been conducting surveillance in northeast Portland at a location suspected of drug activity.
Detectives observed Olivas Sentael engaging in what appeared to be a drug transaction. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered half a pound of fentanyl, a highly potent opioid known for fueling overdose deaths nationwide.
Also Read
Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell stressed the risks associated with the drug:
“With fentanyl’s potency, we need everyone to understand that even a very small amount can be deadly.”
Larger Stash Found in Hotel Room
The investigation did not end with the vehicle search. Later the same day, deputies executed a search warrant at Olivas Sentael’s hotel room in southeast Portland. Inside, they discovered more than nine pounds of methamphetamine, an additional kilogram of fentanyl, and approximately $40,000 in cash.
Officials described the seizure as a critical victory for law enforcement, noting that the drugs removed from circulation could have endangered countless lives.
Pattern of Large Seizures
This year has already seen significant drug busts led by the MCSO Dangerous Drugs Team. Earlier in 2025, the unit carried out the largest seizure in its history: more than 278 pounds of methamphetamine and over two pounds of cocaine.
Authorities say such operations demonstrate both the scale of the problem in Oregon and the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration in combating drug trafficking.
Multi-Agency Task Force Efforts
The Dangerous Drugs Team is a multi-jurisdictional task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Members include deputies from the MCSO, federal investigators, and local police departments.
The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) is handling prosecution in the case against Olivas Sentael. Officials emphasized that while the charges are serious, they remain allegations at this stage, and the defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Community Impact
Law enforcement leaders say seizures like this play a critical role in saving lives and disrupting distribution networks that push dangerous drugs into Portland neighborhoods. Fentanyl, in particular, has been a growing concern, with overdoses on the rise throughout Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest.
“This operation highlights what can be achieved when agencies work together to protect the community,” an FBI spokesperson said.
Olivas Sentael is currently being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center pending trial.
