Over the course of an investigation the Humboldt County Drug Task Force initiated in late 2022 into a multi-state drug trafficking organization, Agents successfully purchased several pounds of methamphetamine and ounces of cocaine and fentanyl from various members of the drug trafficking organization in Humboldt County and in Southern Oregon with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Land Management. These purchases allowed Agents to successfully identify the drug trafficking organization’s leader and participating members.
According to the press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, in June of 2023, Agents identified Valentin Vargas-Diaz as a member of the drug trafficking organization and Agents learned that Valentin Vargas-Diaz had an active felony warrant for his arrest on charges of Rape/Victim Unconscious at time of rape, Sexual Penetration with a Foreign Object, Exhibit Firearm, Possession for Sales, and Carry Loaded Firearm in Public Place.
46 year old Vargas-Diaz was arrested on his warrant and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on June 12th, 2023.
On October 3rd, 2023, Humboldt County Drug Task Forc Agents with assistance from DEA, BLM, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team, and the Fortuna Police Department served search warrants at five locations in Humboldt County and one location in Grants Pass, Oregon. Upon serving a search warrant ob Sage Road in Ferndale, agents located 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, a functional digital scale, pay and owe sheets, and two small baggies containing methamphetamine in a vehicle belonging to 35 year old Everardo Vargas-Diaz. Vargas-Diaz was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of Possession of a Methamphetamine, Operating/Maintaining a Drug House, Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales, and Enhancement for Possessing over one Kilogram of Methamphetamine.
Simultaneously, DEA Agents in Grants Pass, Oregon, served a search warrant at the residence of Oscar Dominguez-Silva, the identified leader of the drug trafficking organization. Upon arrival at the residence, Agents located Dominguez-Silva, 4 firearms, 4.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 5.29 ounces of cocaine. Dominguez-Silva was booked at a federal facility and will be indicted on federal charges related to narcotics trafficking.
Agents then served a search warrant at a residence in the 2900 block of Rebecca Lane in Fortuna. Agents located indicia for Oscar Dominguez-Silva and approximately $22,000.00 in U.S. Currency.
On October 4th, 2023, Agents served search warrants at an additional three locations in the Eureka area.
Upon serving a search warrant on L Street in Eureka, Agents located 44 year old Sandro Ramirez-Uribe and 39 year old Melissa Parker, both from Eureka. Agents also located 6 grams of methamphetamine, metal knuckles, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Both Ramirez-Uribe and Parker had felony warrants for their arrest as well, and were booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of Possession of Metal Knuckles, Operating/Maintaining a Drug House and Possession of Methamphetamine.
Agents then served a search warrant at a residence on I street in Eureka. Agents located 27 years old Renee Hernandez-Pulido of Eureka, along with 30 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, pay and owe sheets, a functional digital scale, a firearm, and approximately $4,500.00 in U.S. Currency. Hernandez-Pulido was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine While Armed, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Methamphetamine for Sales.
Agents seized a total of 23 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 7 Ounces of Fentanyl, 6 Ounces of Cocaine, and 6 Firearms, $26,500.00 in U.S. Currency, a vehicle, as well as residential property belonging to identified leader of the drug trafficking organization throughout the entire investigation.
