United States Drug Enforcement Administration

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. -   State, federal and local law enforcement agencies today dismantled a large and violent drug trafficking organization in Klamath County, arresting more than 30 suspects and charging them with multiple counts of racketeering and unlawful delivery of methamphetamine.  During the course of the investigation, agents developed evidence of connections between the meth ring located in Klamath County and Mexican drug cartels. The cartels have successfully made inroads into Oregon, particularly into some rural parts of the state.

More than 300 law enforcement agents descended on Klamath County, apprehending the suspects in the early-morning hours in Klamath Falls, Bonanza, Chiloquin and elsewhere in southern Oregon. All were taken into custody and lodged at the Klamath County Jail.

Today’s enforcement action marks one of the largest one-day round-ups of drug suspects in recent Oregon law enforcement history. The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office had to open an unused wing of the county jail to house the suspects. As of Wednesday morning, officers expected to take more suspects into custody.

Law enforcement searched 23 Klamath County homes and business as well as 22 cars and trucks. The raids netted more than four pounds of meth and 25 guns.

Operation Trojan Horse began last October, a joint effort of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, the Klamath Falls Police Department, the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Justice. Also involved were the Medford Police Department, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement, Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office.