Drug Kingpin Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Large scale racketeering investigation targeted drug trafficking in Clackamas and Washington counties.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Attorney General John Kroger today announced that the ringleader of a Clackamas County-based drug trafficking organization was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Vidal Carrillo-Carillo ran a criminal enterprise that sold seven pounds of heroin a week, enough to supply hundreds of addicts in the Portland area.

Heroin accounted for the most drug related deaths in Oregon in 2008 (119). 71 of them occurred in Multnomah County. Carillo-Carillo, who was sentenced Thursday in Clackamas County Circuit Court, is one of seven drug trafficking organization members who were sentenced to a total of more than 50 years in prison.

“The Oregon Department of Justice intends to continue aggressively pursuing sophisticated drug trafficking organizations operating in our state," said Attorney General Kroger. “But an effective strategy to fight drug abuse and the crime associated with it also must include a strong treatment program.”

Kroger is the chairman of the state Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, which was created by the 2009 Legislature to overhaul the delivery of alcohol and drug treatment in order to improve public health and safety. The commission brings together state leaders, law enforcement and treatment providers in an unprecedented effort to reduce crime by developing a statewide plan to more effectively fund and deliver substance abuse treatment and prevention services across the state. Commission members include Dr. Bruce Goldberg, director of the Department of Human Services, Max Williams, director of the Department of Corrections and Superintendent of Education Susan Castillo.

Carrillo-Carillo pleaded guilty on Tuesday to racketeering. His sentencing on Thursday largely wraps up the Clackamas County portion of Operation Corridor Express, a multi-agency investigation led by the Department of Justice that dismantled drug trafficking organizations in Clackamas and Washington counties.

Operation Corridor Express is the largest state drug trafficking and racketeering investigation in recent Oregon history. The case started two years ago with a tip from a small marijuana case in Eastern Oregon.

The 18-month investigation involved more than 300 law enforcement officers, dozens of search warrants and wiretaps. So far the operation has resulted in 37 indictments. The Washington County prosecutions continue.

Under the Oregon Constitution all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Senior Assistant Attorneys General Darin Tweedt and Matt McCauley of the Oregon Department of Justice prosecuted the case. Assistant Attorney General Marc Weinstein assisted on the prosecution of Carrillo-Carillo.

Source: News release from the Oregon Attorney General

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