A Prineville woman faces controlled substance trafficking charges as the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team continues to pursue sources of fentanyl that have been flooding the region. On March 13th, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded a long-term investigation with the arrest of the 26-year-old. During a concurrent investigation, drug agents identified the suspect as a fentanyl trafficker in the Central Oregon area. The initial investigation alleges she had been importing large quantities of fentanyl pills from the Portland area, where she distributes it primarily in the Prineville area. After a multi-day surveillance operation throughout the metropolitan Portland area, CODE Detectives, the assistance of Oregon State Police Troopers, stopped the suspect on Highway 26 between Madras and Prineville. She was detained at the scene. A male passenger was later released without charges. A toddler was also in the vehicle at the time of the arrest and was released to Oregon DHS-Child Welfare. Based on the investigation, CODE Detectives applied for and obtained a Search Warrant for her home and her vehicle, where agents located a commercial quantity of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets made of fentanyl. These counterfeit tablets have been linked to an ongoing overdose epidemic in Central Oregon and contain fentanyl or methamphetamine and can be deadly to an unsuspecting user. In addition to the fentanyl, drug agents seized a large amount of currency. Charges include Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, and Attempted Distribution of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), and Child Neglect I. "My office supports a public safety surge to address the alarming increase in the availability of these fentanyl-laced fake pills," Crook County District Attorney, Kari Hathorn stated. "It is the Crook County District Attorney's Office goal to work with our law enforcement partners and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team to protect the safety and health of our Crook County community from the harm, crime and overdoses driven by these criminal drug networks." Criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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