Sheriff’s Deputies’ bust cleans 1.25 Lbs of ‘ice’ off streets

See how the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office busts another meth trafficker and surprises his customers, when they come around his Centennial neighborhood apartment to buy some dope¶

Tucked away in a back unit of this apartment complex was a dope dealer, ready to peddle 4,500 “hits” of methamphetamine.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Around the clock, deputies of Multnomah County Sheriff Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are sniffing out drug importers and retailers. And, they’re not looking for guys selling ibuprofen!

When the SIU gets a tip that a meth peddler had set up shop in a low-slung apartment complex in the Centennial Community Association in the 16100 block of SE Main Street a few days ago, they dropped by to pay a visit.

“It’s called a ‘knock-and-talk’,” Lt. Jason Gates, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s office, tells us. “Deputies just show up, and talk with whomever is at the suspected location.”

This suspect, Jorge Hijar-Taizan, alleged to be a meth distributor, has a new home address: the Multnomah County Detention Center. (MCSO photo)

About 8:00 p.m. on January 18, a “knock-and-talk” at 16115 SE Main St, Apt #5, puts them face-to-face with 29-year-old Jorge Hijar-Taizan, who is allegedly babysitting over a pound ‚Äì not ounce! ‚Äì of “ice”, another name for methamphetamine.

“During the course of investigation, our personnel discovered and seized 1.25 lbs of meth. Additionally, they discovered a digital gram scale, typically used to measure out quantities of methamphetamine for sale,” says Gates.

Drug buddies surprised
While at the residence, other potential suspects came to the location, not knowing the police were there, Gates adds. “They were detained during the investigation, but ultimately weren’t charged.”

To put the bust into prospective, Gates says 1.25 pounds of meth has an “uncut” street value of $35,840, which equates to approximately 4,500 “hits” or dosage units. “The dollar amount and number of dosage units can double or triple when the product is cut [diluted].”

The interesting aspect of this case, Gates informs us, is that with the decline of meth manufacturing labs in Oregon “we have seen a marked increase in the amount of meth coming from large drug cartels in Mexico. With the reduction in labs, over the past two years, SIU investigators are now seizing meth, originating from Mexico, by the pound.”

Hijar-Taizan is being held on charges of Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Felony delivery of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), at the Multnomah County Detention Center.

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