Federal authorities have charged three men following a year-long narcotics investigation that revealed more than 78 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, as well as multiple firearms, in Oregon and neighboring states. The suspects, Andres Garcia-Mendoza, Julio Duran Vargas, and Brett Mitchell Miller, are now facing federal felony accusations for large-scale drug trafficking operations.
The Investigation: Central Oregon Drug Enforcement and DEA Collaboration
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According to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team (CODE), the case began in the summer of 2024 and ended in the spring of 2025, following months of surveillance, intelligence collecting, and coordinated activities with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The investigation resulted in over 71 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of cocaine, and more than 2 pounds of fentanyl. Authorities also seized 16 firearms, with Central Oregon being the primary site of discovery.
“This was one of the largest and most complex narcotics investigations conducted in Central Oregon in recent years,” a CODE spokesperson said. “Our partnership with the DEA and regional narcotics units was critical to dismantling this distribution network.”
Officials stated that the case involves trafficking routes across two states, but specific dates, times, and seizure locations were not disclosed due to the continuing nature of the prosecution.
The Charges: Conspiracy and Intent to Distribute
On October 16, 2025, federal indictments were returned charging Garcia-Mendoza, Duran Vargas, and Miller with:
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine
These charges are felony-level felonies under federal law, and if convicted, the defendants may face decades in jail.
Garcia-Mendoza, who is thought to live in Mexico, is accused of leading the drug trafficking operation. Prosecutors claim he supervised shipments and worked with U.S.-based associates to distribute narcotics throughout Oregon.
“Garcia-Mendoza has a prior federal narcotics conviction from 2013,” investigators noted, “and is believed to have re-established connections to control the current scheme.”
Duran Vargas and Miller allegedly served as regional distributors, facilitating drug sales and transportation between Central Oregon and other western states.
Federal Response and Seizures
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team confirmed that the drugs and weapons seized were linked with organized trafficking groups operating in the Pacific Northwest. The DEA estimates that the recovered methamphetamine and fentanyl are sufficient to manufacture tens of thousands of potentially deadly dosages.
“Removing this volume of dangerous drugs from circulation undoubtedly saved lives,” officials said. “We continue to see fentanyl mixed into meth and cocaine, greatly increasing overdose risks across Oregon communities.”
Authorities stressed that the seizures reflect the increasing potency and amount of synthetic drugs entering the United States, which are frequently trafficked by Mexico-based cartels via multi-state networks.
Court Proceedings and Legal Context
The three defendants are all facing federal charges in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. If convicted, they might face mandatory minimum terms ranging from ten years to life, based on their prior criminal history and drug quantity.
Legal experts argue that instances like this demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to combating cross-border drug trafficking and fentanyl distribution.
“Federal drug conspiracy charges carry some of the harshest penalties under U.S. law,” explained one legal analyst. “The government’s ability to trace distribution networks across state lines makes these cases highly coordinated between multiple agencies.”
Authorities reminded the public that an indictment is simply an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Ongoing Efforts and Community Impact
The CODE team and the DEA are still searching for additional individuals and suppliers involved in the trafficking enterprise. Throughout the inquiry, local police agencies from Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties provided assistance.
Community leaders and law enforcement authorities praised the operation’s success, describing it as a significant triumph in Oregon’s ongoing fight against meth and fentanyl distribution.
“The removal of these drugs and weapons from our streets makes our communities safer,” a Deschutes County official said. “This operation demonstrates what can be achieved through federal and local collaboration.”
