Alleged Drug Trafficking Ringleader Released With No Charges

Portland, Ore. — On Friday, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office revealed the largest fentanyl bust in its history, conducted by raiding two residences in Northeast Portland and Oregon City on Thursday. The raid uncovered the equivalent of over 11 million doses of fentanyl, marking one of the largest illegal fentanyl seizures in the state’s history.

The Willamette Week reports the alleged ringleader, 23-year-old Luis Funez, was apprehended while fleeing from his house in the Cully neighborhood of Northeast Portland. Despite being booked in jail on outstanding warrants, he was subsequently released, with instructions to return to court the following morning. However, court records indicate he did not comply.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has referred the case to federal prosecutors, but charges related to Thursday’s bust have yet to be filed. Funez’s current whereabouts, who recently arrived in Portland from Sacramento, remain unclear.

The turn of events unfolded after charges were filed against Funez’s alleged accomplice, 21-year-old Gerson Isaac Hernandez Betancurt, described as a lower-level drug runner residing in Oregon City.

An affidavit filed by prosecutors on Friday stated that Funez, also known as Arteaga-Sanchez, was initially taken to jail on an outstanding warrant with “new charges to follow.” However, he was released by the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice before the new charges could be filed.

Funez’s release casts a shadow over the months-long investigation culminating in Thursday’s raid. Questions arise about why Funez was free to engage in drug-related activities for a significant portion of the year.

Law enforcement had Funez on their radar since January, when he was arrested dealing fentanyl in downtown Portland. He claimed to be supplied by a person named Will and disclosed details of his drug transactions, serving a substantial number of customers daily.

Despite multiple arrests throughout the year, including carrying over 100 fentanyl pills and a large sum of cash, Funez continued his alleged drug trafficking activities.

The recent raid on Funez’s residence in the Cully neighborhood led to the arrest of both Funez and his girlfriend, Dezirae Ann Torset, who claimed the large quantity of suspected fentanyl found was for “cookie baking.” Torset is currently held in jail on out-of-state warrants.

Simultaneously, law enforcement in Clackamas County apprehended Betancurt, the alleged drug runner, as he fled his Oregon City residence. Betancurt was found carrying a backpack with over 8,000 fentanyl pills. The house also contained nearly $25,000 in cash and disassembled rifles hidden in a care package destined for Honduras.

Unlike Funez, Betancurt is currently held in jail on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service, the enforcement arm of the federal court system. The circumstances surrounding Funez’s release and the implications of the drug bust remain under investigation. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.