PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A joint investigation by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI led to the arrest of 34-year-old Ricardo Olivas Sentael in northeast Portland and the seizure of more than $30,000 worth of drugs, officials announced Monday.
On September 3, investigators were monitoring a known drug location in northeast Portland when they observed Olivas Sentael involved in a drug deal. Following him, deputies searched his vehicle and discovered half a pound of fentanyl.
The investigation extended to a southeast Portland motel where Olivas Sentael was staying. Authorities seized an additional nine pounds of methamphetamine and one kilogram of fentanyl, collectively valued at around $34,000. Law enforcement also confiscated $40,000 in cash.
Olivas Sentael was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
“With fentanyl’s potency, we need everyone to understand that even a very small amount can be deadly,” said MCSO Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “Removing a kilo of fentanyl represents hundreds of lives saved in our community and underscores the importance of our Dangerous Drug Team. I want to thank them for their work.”
Earlier this year, the MCSO Dangerous Drugs Team seized nearly 280 pounds of methamphetamine and over two pounds of cocaine — the largest drug confiscation in MCSO history.
