Largest Methamphetamine Seizure In Oregon History

EUGENE, Ore. — Authorities took down a drug trafficking cell in Lane County and turned up the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized in Oregon valued at more than $1 million.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Springfield Police, Eugene Police and the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team executed federal search warrants at multiple locations in Lane County.  More than 384 pounds of meth, over $75,000 in cash and 14 guns, some which were stolen, were seized.

The cell’s leader and four associates were arrested on September 15th.

Martin Manzo-Negrete, also known by Javier Cardenas-Manzo, 47 of Eugene, was charged by federal criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  He has a long history of drug trafficking and previously served 14 years in federal prison.

The associates, Gustavo Manzo-Mares, 45; Candice L. Barrett, 52; John C. Willis, 59; and Nathan Lee Daniels, 46, are also facing federal charges.  A fifth associate, Frank Buehler, 52 is outstanding.

The cell has been under investigation for the past year for its role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California to Oregon for resale in and around Lane County.