FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 15, 2022
Released by: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp
Bend, OR –
On November 15, 2022, at approximately 5:30PM, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded an investigation with the arrest of Chantz Kucharski, age 22, of Bend, Oregon.
After receiving community tips, CODE detectives identified Mr. Kucharski as a cocaine trafficker in the Bend area. Drug agents conducted surveillance for several weeks on Kucharski’s activities and allege Mr. Kucharski was selling large quantities of cocaine in the area. Agents also developed information that he was also armed with a firearm.
CODE detectives applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant for Mr. Kucharski, his car and apartment on the 2000 block of NE Linnea Drive. As a result, on November 15, 2022, at 5:30 PM, Mr. Kucharski was contacted during a traffic stop on Lotus Dr and Purcell Blvd, in the city of Bend, while driving a 2019 Dodge Challenger. Immediately following the traffic stop, detectives executed the search warrant at his apartment where another 22-year-old man was contacted. It was determined that the second man was not related to the investigation and released at the scene.
CODE Detectives and Bend Police Officers gathered and seized a commercial quantity of cocaine, two pistols, an AR-15 rifle and over $67,000 from Mr. Kucharski's apartment.
A “commercial quantity” is defined by statute as ten grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. This is not a separate criminal charge but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines.
Mr. Kucharski was lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Jail with the following criminal charges.
Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
Unlawful Manufacturing of Cocaine
Attempted Delivery of a Controlled Substance
CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, 541-550-4869 or kentv@deschutes.org
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 14, 2022
Released by: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp
La Pine, OR –
On November 14, 2022, at approximately 12:30 AM, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded an investigation with the arrest of Benny Garcia, age 35, of Bend, Oregon.
During a concurrent investigation, CODE detectives identified Mr. Garcia as a cocaine trafficker in the central Oregon area. The initial investigation alleges Mr. Garcia imported cocaine from the southern California area into central Oregon, where he distributed it into the community.
After a multi-state surveillance operation, CODE Detectives applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant for Mr. Garcia and his truck. As a result, on November 14, 2022, at 12:21 AM, Mr. Garcia was contacted during a traffic stop on Highway 97 at Finley Butte Rd while driving a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up.
CODE Detectives, OSP Troopers, and DCSO Deputies gathered and seized a commercial quantity of cocaine.
A “commercial quantity” is defined by statute as ten grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. This is not a separate criminal charge but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines.
Mr. Garcia was lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Jail with the following criminal charges.
Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
Attempted Delivery of a Controlled Substance
CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, 541-550-4869 or kentv@deschutes.org
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 11, 2022
Released by: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp
Sisters, OR –
On November 11, 2022, at approximately 9:30 AM, the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded a short-term investigation with the arrest of Paul Weston, age 46, of Sisters, Oregon.
After receiving several community complaints, CODE detectives identified Mr. Weston as a fentanyl trafficker in the Sisters, Oregon area. The initial investigation alleges Mr. Weston imported fentanyl pills from the Portland area into central Oregon, where he distributes them.
After an overnight surveillance operation in the Portland area, CODE Detectives applied for, obtained, and executed a search warrant. At approximately 9:30 AM, Mr. Weston was contacted during a traffic stop on Highway 20 west, near milepost 96, while driving a 2021 Dodge Ram pick-up towing a dump trailer.
CODE Detectives and DCSO Deputies gathered and seized a commercial quantity of fake pharmaceutical tablets made of fentanyl and a separate package of methamphetamine. At the same time, it was also determined that Weston was driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
A “commercial quantity” is defined by statute as five grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl or any substituted derivative of fentanyl as defined by the rules of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. This is not a separate criminal charge but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines.
The greater Portland area is a central transshipment hub where illegal drugs from the southwest border are stored in local warehouses, storage units, and residential properties. The bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers. In addition, the Portland area has an international airport, interstate highways, and bus and train lines that make it easy for shipments to be smuggled to other destinations around the pacific northwest.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 107,000 people have died due to a drug overdose or poisoning in the US. Criminal drug networks in Mexico are mass-producing illicit fentanyl and fake pills pressed with fentanyl in filthy, clandestine, unregulated labs. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills based on size, shape, color, and stamping. These fake pills typically replicate real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®).
Mr. Weston was lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Jail with the following criminal charges.
DUII - Drugs
Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, 541-550-4869 or kentv@deschutes.org
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.
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