Three CODE Team raids net eight arrests (KTVZ-Central OR)

Three CODE Team raids net eight arrests
Several illegal aliens among six arrested at Redmond home

By Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COM
Posted - May 22, 2008 10:36 PM EDT

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team has had a busy week, with eight people arrested in three raids in Bend and Redmond that also turned up marijuana and methamphetamine.

Six people - at least four illegal immigrants now held for federal officials - were arrested in a raid Wednesday night on a southwest Redmond manufactured home located across the street from Obsidian Middle School, said Code Team Sgt. Mitchell Meyer.

CODE Team detectives, aided by Deschutes County sheriff's deputies and Redmond police, executed a search warrant at the home at 1332 SW Obsidian Ave. around 8:15 p.m., Meyer said.
Residents arrested at the location included Alberto Zepeda Perez, 30; Alberto Delgado Almonte, 26; Marco Antonio Flores Carmon, 21; Saul Garces Lopez, 32; and Pablo Espinoza Farias, 30, Meyer said. A Bend woman, Monca Arias Magellanes, 29, also was at the home at the time of the raid.

The search warrant concluded an extensive investigation of meth trafficking by people at the home, Meyer said. During the investigation, undercover detectives made "numerous" purchases of meth from Zepeda Perez, totaling over two ounces, he said.

Evidence seized at the home included meth, drug deal records, packaging materials, digital scales, forged documents and more than $5,000 in drug proceeds, Meyer said.

At least four of the five men were being held for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, a jail officer said late Thursday. All face numerous drug charges.

About four hours earlier, shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, CODE Team detectives raided a home at 60988 Amethyst St. in southwest Bend due to a reported marijuana-growing operation, Gautney said.

Detectives, assisted by Bend police, found a small pot-growing operation, along with more than 22 ounces of packaged marijuana, drug records and about $1,000 in cash.

Resident Isaiah Mathew Cook, 25 , of Bend, was not home at the time of the raid but later was taken into custody near Sisters by Oregon State Police, Gautney said. He was taken to the county jail in Bend on pot possession, delivery and manufacturing charges, as well as frequenting a place where drugs are kept or sold. He later was released from jail, Gautney said.

On Monday, shortly before 7 p.m., a 19-year-old Bend man was arrested on a traffic stop after he allegedly sold marijuana to another person, said CODE Team Lt. John Gautney.

A subsequent search was conducted of Justin Thomas LaFourcade's vehicle and house by CODE Team detectives and Bend police, assisted by sheriff's K-9 "Narc," Gautney said.

More than eight ounces (a half-pound) of marijuana was seized, along with packaging materials and scales commonly used for drugs. Detectives also seized a small amount of prescription drugs, Gautney said.