PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Eighteen people found themselves inside jail cells on Tuesday following a large drug bust in Southeast Portland, police said.
The Portland Police Bureau said tactical teams served a pair of search warrants in the 8000 blocks of Southeast Harney Street near the Springwater Corridor after receiving complaints about drug activity in the area.
Twenty-four people were detained as a result, 18 of whom were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges ranging from frequenting a drug house to drug possession and drug delivery.
Those jailed include Cameron Baluta, 26, Christopher Card, 50, Donald Causey, 39, Brenton George, 54, Donald Gunderson, 58, Craig Hipple, 50, Marcy Killian, 38, Randal Meeker, 55, Cameron Milner, 26, Tabor Osborn, 25, Breezee Riojas, 30, William Ruble, 49, Ronald Schelin, 38, Matthew Spillers, 33, Staci Turner, 44, Vince Turner, 49, Wendy Underwood, 38, and Katiaha Wagner, 23.
Officers seized dozens of grams of methamphetamine and heroin, drug paraphernalia, drug packaging material, a shotgun and six suspected stolen bicycles.
Neighbors told KOIN 6 News drugs have caused problems in the area for years. One man named Jesse said he’s had to explain some of the issues to kids.
“I got questions from my kids about these orange caps and the needles that are on the ground, you know,” he said. “I just tell them, ‘Don’t touch anything on the ground.'”
Anyone who has information about the cases is asked to call police at 503.823.4800. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 503.823.4357.