PORTLAND, Ore. – A joint investigation between the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the FBI has led to the arrest of a Portland man and the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with thousands in cash.
Authorities announced that 34-year-old Ricardo Olivas Sentael was taken into custody on September 3, 2025, after a coordinated surveillance operation in northeast Portland.
Surveillance Leads to Arrest
Members of the Dangerous Drugs Team (DDT), a multi-jurisdictional task force, were conducting surveillance at a site known for suspected drug activity. During the operation, investigators observed Olivas Sentael engaging in a drug deal.
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A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered half a pound of fentanyl. Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell stressed the extreme risk posed by the drug:
“With fentanyl’s potency, we need everyone to understand that even a very small amount can be deadly.”
Hotel Room Search Reveals Larger Stash
Later that same day, investigators searched a hotel room in southeast Portland connected to Olivas Sentael. Inside, they discovered a much larger cache of narcotics:
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More than 9 pounds of methamphetamine
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1 kilogram of fentanyl
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$40,000 in cash
Officials said the bust prevented dangerous amounts of drugs from reaching Portland communities, potentially saving hundreds of lives.
Prosecution and Charges
Olivas Sentael was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and now faces multiple criminal charges. The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) is leading the prosecution.
Authorities emphasized that while the charges are serious, they remain allegations until proven in court.
Dangerous Drugs Team and Partnerships
The MCSO credited the successful bust to the collaborative effort between agencies. The DDT includes members from local law enforcement agencies and works closely with federal partners. The task force also receives support from the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, which is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Earlier this year, the same task force conducted the largest drug seizure in MCSO history, confiscating 278 pounds of methamphetamine and more than two pounds of cocaine.
Sheriff O’Donnell said these partnerships are critical to disrupting large-scale drug trafficking operations:
“By working together, we’re able to dismantle networks that bring some of the most dangerous substances into our communities.”
Ongoing Battle Against Trafficking
The bust highlights the persistent challenges Portland and surrounding areas face in combating drug trafficking and the growing fentanyl crisis. Law enforcement officials say the volume of narcotics seized underscores the importance of interagency coordination.
As the case proceeds through the courts, investigators continue to target regional drug trafficking networks in hopes of further dismantling supply chains.
