Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in Oregon Faces Federal Charges For Trafficking Large Quantities of Fentanyl and Heroin
Seized drugs and cash.
PORTLAND, Oregon—Gildardo Rivera Garcia, 45, a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Salem, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin for trafficking more than 43 pounds of illicit drugs in Oregon.
According to court documents, on July 27, 2025, as part of a drug trafficking and fatal fentanyl overdose investigation, investigators from the Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) team, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a federal search warrant on Garcia’s residence in Salem. Investigators located and seized approximately 32 pounds of fentanyl, 11 pounds of heroin, an automated money counter, and cash.
Garcia made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
This case was investigated by the FBI, HSI, DEA, and WIN. It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than morphine and 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl is a potentially lethal dose. Learn more: DEA.gov/OnePill.
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