The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team concluded an on-going investigation by arresting two Bend area transients related to selling fentanyl and theft. According to a CODE news release, on February 13th, 2024, at approximately 2:11 p.m, detectives identified 54-year-old man as a fentanyl trafficker in recent investigations. While conducting surveillance in the parking lot of Bend’s Home Depot and Sportsman’s Warehouse, drug agents watched as the suspect allegedly sold the occupants of a silver Ford Escape controlled substances. As drug agents approached the group and identified themselves, the vehicle fled the parking lot. Before leaving the parking lot, a man, later identified as Henry Oswaldo Duran, fled the passenger seat of the Ford and began running through highway traffic. Duran is still outstanding and authorities are asking the public to report any info on his whereabouts.
Detectives searched a Jeep occupied by the two Bend men and found commercial quantity of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine. In addition to the controlled substances, detectives also located $750 worth of Lego toy sets allegedly stolen from the nearby Target store earlier the same day. It was determined the stolen Legos were intended to be sold through online marketplaces for profit.A 30-year-old suspect was placed into custody on theft charges.
In June 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2645, later signed by Governor Kotek. As a result, a “commercial quantity” is now defined by statute as five grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl or 25 or more user units (i.e., pills) or any substituted derivative of fentanyl as defined by the rules of the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. This is not a separate criminal charge but rather an increase in the sentencing guidelines.
